KATHMANDU, June 23: A squad of Metropolitan Police Crime Division on Thursday opened fire against a local goon who tried to attack the police and flee the scene at Bijulibazar of Kathmandu.
The injured has been identified as Jaswan Rai aka Aaswin Kumar Rai, 23, a resident of Baafal, who had been absconding from the police. He was allegedly involved in murder attempts, dozens of robberies and collecting ransom by threatening to take lives.
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Jaswan Rai
Following dozens of complaints registered at the division office, the police had intensified manhunt against Rai. Based on tip off, the police had intervened immediately while he was traced in Bijulibazar along with his gang.
“He tried to escape from the police. He also charged police personnel with a rod, compelling the security personnel to open fire,” said the SSP Sarbendra Khanal, chief of the division.
According to the police, Rai was first warned of firing and then was shot at lower part of the body. The injured has sustained bullet injuries to his right thigh and knee. Injured Rai was immediately rushed to Bir Hospital for treatment.
Police said that he along with his gang members were found actively involved in crimes in Kalimati, Baafal, Kuleshwar and Kalanki areas for the last few years. They threatened hoteliers, restaurant and transport entrepreneurs among others for ransom. They also threatened to take lives of people and injured several persons in those areas upon refusal.
Rai has several criminal records in the past and was released on bail last year. Of late, he was under police surveillance following an attack on operator of Dream Guest House, Chesang Waiba, with an intention to kill him, police said.
Police have been searching for other members of his gang.
