BUTWAL, Dec 6: A smuggler snatched the pistol of a police officer, and fired at his friend in Butwal on Sunday, according to police.

Acting on a tip-off that rhino horn smugglers were in local Kalash Hotel, police raided the room number 105 of the hotel. “As smugglers were trying to escape from the hotel, one of the smugglers snatched the pistol of a police officer. The smuggler fired a shot at his own friend, who received a bullet in his chin,” Deputy Superintendent of Police, Pratit Singh Rathaur of the Butwal Area Police Office, told Republica. The injured has been identified as Rakesh Neupane, 30.

Police were able to arrest two smugglers, while one of the smugglers was able to flee from the hotel. The arrested have been identified as Bhakta Bahadur Thapa, 31, of Surkhet district, and Karna Bahadur Raut, 26, of Jajarkot. Likewise, Birendra Bahadur Singh, 31, of Jajarkot district, was able to run away from the hotel.

Police have also seized one rhino horn from the smugglers. The investigation into the case is underway, said police.

 
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