(Updated with details, 2104 NST, 1519 GMT)
KATHMANDU, Feb 9: Unidentified armed assailants shot Prime Minister´s personal secretary Shakti Bahadur Basnet at Koteshwar area in the capital on Monday evening, police said. [break]
Basnet has sustained injuries on his left leg and is currently undergoing treatment at B&B Hospital, Gwarko. He is out of danger, according to police.
According to Superintendent of Police Nawa Raj Silwal, chief of Metropolitan Police Range Office, Kathmandu, the armed assailants shot at Basnet soon after he boarded off his vehicle near Akhileshwar Temple at Koteshwar at about 7.15 p.m. Basnet lives in a rented apartment near the temple.
He was coming to his home from his office.
According to police, the assailants fled the scene soon after the shooting. Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Janardan Sharma, Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Hisila Yami and other ministers and senior Maoist leaders have reached the hospital to enquire Basnet´s health condition.
Basnet´s family members and the locals had rushed him to the hospital for treatment after the injured Basnet cried for help.
SP Silwal said police have already reached the site and have started hunting the assailants involved. The motive behind the attack is yet to be ascertained.
