Inquiry committee formed to investigate Pokhara balloon explosion

Kathmandu, February 16 — Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has formed an eight-member inquiry committee to investigate the balloon explosion incident that occurred during the 'Pokhara Visit Year 2025' inauguration ceremony.

The committee was formed on Sunday morning through a ministerial decision, with Bharatmani Pandey, Chief District Officer of Kaski, as the chair.

The committee includes Chief Administrative Officer of Pokhara Metropolitan City Shivraj Chaulagain, Kaski Police Chief SP Shyam Babu Oliya, Armed Police Force 24th Battalion Chief SSP Surya Prasad Timilsina, Deputy Director of National Investigation District Office Suresh Kumar Tiwari, Assistant Chief District Officer of Kaski Ganga Bahadur Kshetri as Secretary, and an expert in explosives.

The committee has been tasked with conducting a detailed investigation into the explosion, determining how it occurred, and providing recommendations on safety measures for future events.

They are required to submit a report within 15 days, as per the Ministry of Home Affairs.

In the incident on Saturday, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel and Pokhara Metropolis Mayor Dhanraj Acharya were injured.

Home Minister Lekhak visited them at Kirtipur Hospital on Saturday evening to check on their condition.