Police in western Nepal have arrested three individuals in possession of illegal firearms, ammunition, and protected wildlife parts. The arrests were made in Bhajani Municipality-9, Aambadi, located in Kailali district.
According to DSP Rajkumar Singh, spokesperson for the District Police Office, Kailali, the suspects have been identified as 50-year-old Dilip Karki, his 22-year-old son Bikash Karki, and 30-year-old Suresh BK, all residents of the local area.
Acting on a special tip-off, authorities conducted a raid on Monday afternoon. During the operation, police seized one pistol, 11 rounds of ammunition, a magazine, an unrenewed 0 .22 bore rifle with 24 rounds, one homemade pistol (locally known as katua), a traditional muzzle-loading gun (bharuwa banduk), a ramrod used with the muzzle-loader, a box of pellets, two bundles of peacock feathers, and three deer antlers.
The suspects are being investigated under Nepal’s Arms and Ammunition Act and the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act.
Given the nature of the seized items, police are also probing potential links to organized criminal groups. All three individuals are currently in custody at the Area Police Office in Bhajani as the investigation continue
