KATHMANDU, Feb 24: The Nepal Police has stepped up security measures following the attack on Ncell’s office at Nakkhu and towers across the country.

Apart from nabbing suspects involved in the incident, police have also increased their presence and changed their duty patterns to ensure safety and security, according to SSP Uttam Raj Subedi, spokesperson of Nepal Police said. He added that police personnel were also deployed to protect Ncell communication towers across the country.    

Likewise, the Kathmandu Metropolitan Police Range and the Central Investigation Bureau which is looking into the case in Kathmadu valley said that they were working round the clock and conducting security checks.

“We have deployed police on plain clothes and set up check points. We are also carrying out search operation to nab those involved,” DSP Hobindra Bogati, spokesperson at Kathmandu Metropolitan Police Range said.

“In addition, we’ve doubled up security at Ncell towers and potential target sites,” he added.

Likewise, the police have also urged commuters and residents to report any suspicious person, activity or objects immediately by calling at 100. “We urge the public not to approach or touch any suspicious items,” Bogati said.  

According to Manita Pokhrel, media officer at Nepal Mediciti Hospital, “Both the patients are out of danger.”

“We also urge the public to report any suspicious person or event. The identities of those who report such incidents will be confidential,” he added.

Over 15 Ncell towers were attacked on Friday evening. The Ncell’s head office at Nakkhu was rocked by a powerful Improvised Explosive Device that injured three. One of those injured, Sim Prasad Gurung, died while undergoing treatment.

Gurung, a former Singapore police officer, had stopped his car alongside the road and headed toward the gate of Ncell to ask about a suspicious object. Just as he stepped towards the object, it exploded and shrapnel from the blast riddled his body. Two other injured, Pratiksha Khadka and Urusha Manandhar are undergoing treatment at the hospital.

According to Manita Pokhrel, media officer at Nepal Mediciti Hospital, “Both the patients are out of danger.”  She added that Urusha had sustained injuries below the knee and had undergone two operations yesterday. Likewise, the shrapnel from Pratikshya’s backbone was removed immediately after the incident. 

Ncell condemns attack

Likewise, Ncell has condemned the attack and expressed deep condolence over the demise of Sim Prasad Gurung and wished for speedy recovery of those injured.

“We strongly condemn the series of vandalism and destruction to Ncell’s base transmission stations (BTS) in different parts of the country by unidentified groups,” Ncell said in a public notice and assured that they have increased internal security measures in all Ncell facilities across the county.

The public notice said that it service in Baglung, Myagdi, Kaski, Nawalparasi and Kapilvastu would be affected until the towers are restored. “It will take longer time to restore the telephone service in the districts. “Ncell has restored a few sites to ensure the availability of essential  

 
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