Indian national arrested for filling balloons with hydrogen gas in Pokhara

Kathmandu, Febuary 19 — An Indian national has been arrested for filling balloons with highly flammable hydrogen gas, leading to an explosion that injured Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel and Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhan Raj Acharya during the inauguration of Visit Nepal Year 2025 in Pokhara.

The 41-year-old Kamlesh Kumar was apprehended by the police for filling the balloons with hydrogen gas, as confirmed by Kaski's SP Shyam Babu Oli.

The Baidam Ward Police Office is holding Kamlesh in custody for further investigation.

On February 15, a balloon filled with hydrogen gas exploded during the opening of the Visit Nepal Year event, injuring Minister Paudel and Mayor Acharya.

Authorities are investigating whether the Indian national had received permission to fill the balloons with gas.

An inquiry committee, led by Kaski's Chief District Officer Bharat Mani Pandey, is also conducting an investigation into the mishandling of the event.