KATHMANDU, April 13: Prime Minister KP Oli on Thursday directed the security agencies to stay prepared to combat security challenges posed by international terrorist groups and various extremist elements taking the path of violence.
Speaking at a function organized by the Nepali Military Academy in Bhaktapur, the prime minister said that Nepal faces genuine threats from domestic and international groups promoting extremism and domestic elements trying to spread hatred and violence in the name of ethnicity and region.
The prime minister expressed satisfaction over the current security situation but stressed that the security forces should remain on alert to thwart the challenges that could arise in the future.
"Extremist elements like international terrorist groups and those carrying out violent activities inside the country as well as domestic forces seeking to spread violence in name of region and ethnicity pose genuine threat to country's security. Our security agencies should always stay prepared to fight against such threats," said Oli.
Prime Minister Oli, however, refrained from naming the extremist elements.
3 soldiers, 3 terrorists killed in clash in NW Pakistan
Oli's remarks come at a time when an offshoot of former Maoist rebels led by Netra Bikram Chand is threatening to launch struggle against "the parliamentary supremacy". The party had made several unsuccessful attempts to sabotage the three tiers of the elections held last year.
Despite relative peace and stability in the recent years, security agencies have long described various underground outfits active in the tarai as potential threats to law and order.
