A man has been killed in gunfight in Rupandehi Saturday night, according to Rupandehi Police. 

Chief District Officer (CDO) of Rupandehi Udaya Bahadur Rana told Setopati that a man riding a motorcycle with Indian registration number (UP 53 H 2028) opened fire when stopped for security check by a police patrol team.

CDO Rana claimed the pillion rider ran away and the rider opened fire at the police. The man, around 30, died when the police team opened fire in self-defense. Constable with Rupandehi Police Jeevan Shrestha has been shot on his arm by the man during the gunfight.

The man has yet to be identified and his body is being kept at Bhim Hospital in Bhairahawa. CDO Rana said the man, who was not carrying any document or electronic device to reveal his identity, could be an Indian national as the locals have not been able to identify the deceased.

He claimed the man that opened fire on a police patrol team deployed to control cross-border smuggling during the night was from a smuggler gang.

“A few individuals come before the goods are smuggled to see if the route is clear during the night. The duo came from Indian border area even on Saturday night,” he reasoned.