Sarlahi, May 31:

A group of 25 armed dacoits looted over 24 vehicles on the Chapini-Saspur road section on the East-West Highway in Sarlahi last night. The vehicles were headed to Dharan, Biratnagar, Rajbiraj and Jhapa from Kathmandu. The dacoits decamped with cash, valuables and goods.

The dacoits were ordering band members to “shoot those who do not provide cash”, said Shanti Maya Tamang, of Gairitol, adding: “Children were heard weeping.” “Passengers asked for help, but none could go there to rescue them,” she said. SP Manohar Rimal of the District Police Office said police had no knowledge of the looting.