Victims identified

KATHMANDU: The four Nepalis killed in Afghanistan recently have been identified as Min Bahadaur Gharti of Putalibazar -2, Bhakta Raj Gurung of Keware Bhyanjyang, Suka Bahadur Rana Sarki of Putali Bazar -11 in Syangja district, and Bir Bahadur jugzali of Marang 8 of Myagdi. Their bodies are expected to be flown to Kathmandu by Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. They were recruited by Compas Integrated Logistic and Security to guard UN office and were killed in a blast. — HNS

RPP on CA polls

Kathmandu: The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) on Thursday asked the government to “end the current state confusion” over constituent assembly polls by making its stance clear on the issue. In a statement, party chairman Pashupati SJB Rana urged the eight-party alliance to “rise above their partisan interest” and immediately address the Madhesi and Janajati issues and come up with a clear stance on the issue of constituent assembly polls. — HNS

Helpline for children

Kathmandu: CWIN is launching the Child Helpline-Nepal 1098, to rescue children in emergencies and provide free counselling through a free telephone line 1098, a statement issued here on Thursday said. — HNS

UK official coming

KATHMANDU: A senior official of the British Ministry of Defence, John Pitt-Brooke, will be visiting Nepal soon. He will interact with ex-Gurkha servicemen and “listen” to their concerns so that he can report back. He will not be meeting ministers and announcing changes affecting serving or retired Gurkhas at this stage, a statement issued by the British embassy here on Thursday said. The interactions will be held in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Dharan. The visit follows a government request to the UK to listen to the concerns of the ex-Gurkha community. — HNS

Scribes honoured

JHAPA: Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula on Thursday felicitated three local journalists for their contribution to Jana Andolan-II. Sitaula honoured Jhapa correspondent of Nepal Television Bhim Nembang, journalist with Purwanchal Daily Ekraj Giri and Jhapa correspondent of Gorkhapatra Lokraj Dhakal. Speaking at the felicitation function organised by the Jhapa chapter of Nepal Press Union, Sitaula said the constituent assembly polls would be held at any cost. — HNS

Two killed in mishap

SYANGJA: Two persons, including a child, were killed when a passenger jeep bound for Rapakot from Arjun Chaupari skidded and fell 50 metres down the road at Simalchaur on Wednesday. Janak Lamsal, 33, of Rapakot and three-year-old Jeev Kanta Lamsal were killed in the mishap, the Syangja district police office (DPO) said. There were 14 passengers in the jeep. Jeep driver Ek Narayan Lamsal has been taken into custody, police said. — HNS

Passengers robbed

PYUTHAN: A gang of seven masked men looted cash and valuables worth over Rs 4 lakh from passengers of a night bus (Lu 1 Kha 4251) and a truck (Na 3 Kha 3156) at Bagasoti of Lalmatiya VDC in Dang on Wednesday night. The robbers had placed roadblocks to stop vehicles, the Pyuthan district police office (DPO) said. — HNS

Three abducted, freed

Siraha: Activists of the Jwala Singh-led Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) today abducted three local social workers affiliated to Indreni Service Society (ISS) from Golbazaar in Asanpur VDC. ISS vice-chairman Min Kumar Lama, education coordinator Teji Lal Lama and mobiliser Ram Swaroop Sada who were abducted from Nipaniyan area of Golbazaar at around 10 am, were, however, released later. JTMM Siraha in-charge Tufan Singh ‘Bidrohi’ said that the trio was abducted because the ISS didn’t provide any financial help. — HNS