KATHMANDU: A special squad dispatched from Metropolitan Police Circle (MPC), Singha Durbar, apprehended three suspects with a China-made pistol in Old Bus Park yesterday night.

Inspector Bir Bahadur Budha Magar, in-charge, MPC, said that the trio was arrested acting on a tip off provided by an intelligence unit for their alleged plot to carry out raid on private and public properties.

The arrested have been identified as Deepak Kumar Khadka and Kumar Pathak, both hailing from Sindhupalchowk district, and Jeet Bahadur Khadka. Magar, who also led the police squad, revealed that Deepak was a former head constable. While, Jeet Bahadur and Kumar are drivers of passenger buses belonging to Helambu Yatayat.

During the preliminary interrogation, Deepak told that he had recovered the pistol from Sukute VDC of Sindhupalchowk where erstwhile Maoist combatants and Nepali Army had engaged in a fierce clash during the insurgency.

"The pistol was dug out in course of bulldozing the site for construction work. I came to Kathmandu to hand over it to the police," Inspector Magar quoted him as saying. Jeet Bahadur and Kumar, however, pleaded innocent and said they were not aware that their friend Deepak was carrying the pistol.

The police said that Deepak's claim was not convincing as he possessed no evidence. As per the laws, the person is required to tender the weapons to the nearest police post in case s/she stumbles on any.

According Magar, police threw net at the trio when they were holding a meeting at a hotel in Old Bus Park.

They have been handed over to Metropolitan Police Range, Hanumandhoka, for further investigation.