Three APF officers injured as locals attack customs raid team in Birgunj

Dhangadhi: A joint team of the Customs Office and the Armed Police Force (APF) was attacked by a local group while conducting a raid at a store in Adarshnagar, Birgunj Metropolitan City, resulting in injuries to three APF personnel and damage to a vehicle.

According to No. 13 Battalion Parsa, on 26 Magh 2082 at around 10:30 am, a 21-member joint team was mobilized to recover goods illegally hidden in customs fraud from the house of Madan Prasad Gupta in Adarshnagar, based on special information. The team included 10 personnel under DSP Bikash Adhikari of APF Border Security Force Headquarters Birgunj, 9 personnel led by Inspector Sapkota from Battalion Headquarters Parsa, and 2 personnel under Bhagirath Rauniyar, Statistics Officer of Birgunj Customs Office.

The situation escalated when 20-25 locals attacked the team with stones while they were loading the seized goods. During the attack, the front window of a vehicle (F A A 0125) from Bagmati Province was broken, and a Scorpio vehicle of the APF was also damaged.

Senior Constable Mohammad Mushtaq Ali sustained an injury to his left hand and had his mobile phone snatched. Armed Police Constable Jitendra Prasad Sahni was injured in the left leg, and Armed Police Assistant Constable Jitendra Paswan received minor head injuries.

The joint team successfully recovered five packs of customs-issued clothes valued at approximately Rs 500,000. The APF has stated that the items will be handed over to the Customs Office after completing necessary procedures.

Armed Police Force Madhesh Province Chief DIG Krishna Dhakal confirmed that those involved in the attack are being identified, and coordination is underway with local administration and police for appropriate legal action.