Bijay Shah, 45, of Koshi Rural Municipality-1, was killed by gunfire by an unidentified group at around 1 a.m. on the morning of January 1, 2026, near Puri Tole close to the Armed Police Force (APF) base camp, BOP, Laukahi as per DSP Chandrabahadur Khadkal.
DSP Khadkal stated that a bullet cartridge was found at the incident site and that an investigation has been launched to determine the suspect.
However, locals have accused the Armed Police Force of firing and killing Sah.
Ward Chairperson of Koshi Rural Municipality–1, Sobhitanarayan Yadav, alleged that the police had demanded a bribe of Rs. 500 from Shah on accusations of smuggling sugar from India, and that when Shah failed to pay the amount, the Armed Police Force fired and killed him.
Locals said Shah’s body was found inside a city safari vehicle with a gunshot wound to the head.
Locals have also staged protests against the Armed Police Force base camp located in Koshi Rural Municipality–1.
DSP Nirmal Kumar Thapa of the Armed Police Force Headquarters, 4th Battalion, Sunsari, has not given an official response on whether or not the Armed Police Force fired the shot.