DHANGADHI: The police detained six persons for their alleged link with Al-Qaeda, an international terrorist organisation, from Deukaliya of Ramshikharjhala VDC in the district.

According to Superintendent of Police in the district Uttam Bahadur Singh, a special team of police today apprehended Maniram Chaudhari 'Shera', who supposedly bore the responsibility of strengthening the organisation in Nepal, along with five accomplices.

Police had acted on a tip-off provided by Sitaram Chaudhari and Naresh Chaudhari -- alleged members of the terrorist outfit -- who were held last week in connection with an extortion drive. Police also recovered a letter written by Dr Aslam Khan, said to be living in New Delhi, India, to a local businessman, demanding Rs 1.5 lakh as donation. Shera is learnt to have confessed that Aslam assigned him to command the outfit in Kailali when he was in Nepal last year.

Suhag Chaudhari, Al-Qaeda's assistant commander in Kailai, is another held. Earlier, Area Police Office Sukhad had detained two other members of the group: Rohit Chaudhari and Jayalal Chaudhari.

Shera said Sitaram and Naresh had been asked to collect money and to expand the outfit here in Nepal. Aslam had promised to provide them weapons later.

Theman Chaudhari' Dewan' of Bardiya's Bishnapur is reportedly the Head of Al-Qaeda in Nepal. The group had asked donation with several entrepreneurs and social organisations.

"A lot remains secret about the organisation as its members do not reveal the secret easily during interrogation," SP Singh said.

Members of the group have also scrawled graffiti at school buildings and public places in the district.