"During the investigation, we came to the conclusion that the same person, Mohamad Sakil Hussain, and his group were behind all three murders," said investigation officer Inspector Laldhoj Subedi.DPO Saptari had launched "Operation Sera Kilo" some three months ago, under which seven murder cases have been resolved.
According to Subedi, the victims of recently solved murder cases were Sahabudh Miya, 48, of Paterwa VDC-1, his daughter-in-law, Sagira Khatun, 27, Dulari Shah, 30, of Jandaul-6, and Nirmala Shah.
Under the operation, the police have arrested six accused while the mastermind and two others remain at large. Superintendent of Police Shishir Kumar Karmacharya, who is also the chief of Saptari police, said a manhunt has been launched to nab the absconding criminals.
The police identified those arrested as Nasrul Miya, 55, of Shambhunath municipality-2, Allauddin Miya, 48, of Saraswor-4, Hajrun Khatun, 26, of Jandaul-5, Samina Khatun, 26 and Nagina Khatun, 30 of Kanchanpur-10, and Majlum Miya, 40, of Sonamati VDC-6.
According to the police, Mohamad Sakil Hussain of Kushaha-6 of Saptari, the alleged mastermind behind the killings, and other accomplices, Nurhimiya Kudar, an Indian national, Mohamad Mostakim aka Raish Miya, and Guljar Miya, of Paterwa-5, are at large.
Investigations revealed that the victims had financial dealings with Mohamad Sakil Hussain of Kushaha-6 of Saptari.
According to police, Hussain is currently hiding abroad. Sources at the DPO said Nepal Police is working with the police of the country where he is hiding to get him extradited to Nepal.