Bir Bahadur, 21, of Jogbuda-9, Suwakhan was killed and his wife Leela Devi injured when a youth opened fire at them in the nearby jungle Thursday afternoon. [break]
It was later revealed that soldier Dipak Bahadur Shahi, who had escaped Arjuni barracks of Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve Thursday morning carrying an M-16 and 105 rounds of bullet, had fired at them. The couple had entered wedlock on November 22.
The body of the deceased and his injured wife were airlifted to Dhangadi in an army chopper Friday afternoon. “We are skeptical if any action will not be taken against the culprit as neither the Nepal Army nor the government has taken responsibility for the killing,” elder brother of the deceased Lokendra said.
Bista´s family has demanded that the government take responsibility for the killing and provide compensation for the death. Bista´s wife was flown to Kathmandu in an army chopper on Friday evening.
The army, Nepal Police and Armed Police have been searching for the absconding soldier in the Suwakhan area of Jogbuda.
An army chopper has also been mobilized. Locals had last seen him camping at Polkhari village on Friday evening.
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