Bhairahawa, January 13

A youth died in a shootout between smugglers and a police patrol team at Shankarpur of Siddhartha Municipality, Rupandehi last night. A police constable was also injured in the incident.

According to SP Hridaya Thapa of Rupandehi District Police Office, police opened fire in defence after smugglers fired at the police patrol team deployed in Shankarpur. The smugglers were on an Indian motorbike, said police. The deceased has been identified as Kedar Sahani, 40, of Siddharthanagar.

SP Thapa said a critically injured Sahani died on the way to the local health facility. Police said  the body has been kept in the District Hospital for post-mortem. SP Thapa added that police Constable Krishna Shrestha received a bullet on his left hand and was receiving treatment in the district hospital. He said police seized an automatic pistol, three bullets and a bike with Indian number plate, among other items from the incident site.

SP Thapa said that Sahani was in the list of the most wanted of Rupandehi Police. Sahani was accused of murdering Aakash Gurung after he was kidnapped four years ago. Police also said Sahani was involved in various criminal activities such as extortion, kidnap, and ransom among others.

SP Thapa informed that police have been searching for the absconding other person who was with Sahani. Rupandehi Police deployed the police patrol team after smuggling had increased during night. SP Thapa said the incident occurred when the police patrol tried to stop the smugglers.