Sashastra Prahari Officials Summoned to HQ After Security Lapse at Khakaraula Border Post

A serious security lapse at the Khakaraula Border Security Battalion in Tikapur, Kailali, has sent shockwaves through the Armed Police Force (APF). The APF headquarters has taken strict action against the entire team stationed there for failing to secure their own office, which is responsible for sensitive border duties, and for standing by as a group involved in smuggling allegedly attempted to assault the commander inside the premises.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Pradip Paudel, the Battalion Commander, along with the entire team stationed there, has been summoned to the Halchowk headquarters in Kathmandu for disciplinary action following this incident. The incident began on Chaitra 4 when an APF team seized illegally smuggled goods brought in from India.

Angered by the seizure of the smuggled goods, a group systematically arrived at the Khakaraula Battalion office. Despite any security agency's office being considered a restricted and sensitive zone, the group breached the gate's security perimeter and entered directly into the office premises.

They proceeded to DSP Paudel's office, where they engaged in indecent behavior and attempted to assault him. It was found that the deployed APF jawans and other officers present did not take any effective measures to stop them, even as an attack was attempted on their own commander and the external group caused chaos inside the office.

Videos showing the security personnel watching the mob as if it were a spectacle, without using necessary force, surfaced on social media, raising serious questions about the organization's image. APF Assistant Spokesperson Shailendra Thapa stated that the incident is being viewed as a major challenge to the security mechanism and an extreme violation of discipline. He informed that the entire team has been replaced, taking seriously the situation where a smuggling group entered the office and attempted to assault the office chief, and the security personnel refrained from using force.

The headquarters has initiated proceedings to take strict departmental action against DSP Paudel's team according to the Armed Police Force Regulations. Immediately following the incident, APF Nepal No. 7 Baidyanath Battalion formed an investigation committee led by Armed Police Superintendent (SP) Anil Karki. The team was removed from their posts after the preliminary report submitted by this committee, following an on-site study, pointed out the negligence of the security personnel.

To prevent any security vacuum at the important Khakaraula border crossing, the headquarters has immediately dispatched a new team and commander from No. 34 Battalion to take charge. The team, including DSP Paudel, who was summoned to Kathmandu, is currently being interrogated and asked for clarification.

A subtle investigation is also underway to determine whether they had any collusion with the smuggling group or refrained from using force due to fear.

Currently, security arrangements in Khakaraula and the surrounding border areas have been made extremely tight, and the new team has been instructed to work with high vigilance.