Body of Man Who Went Hunting in Bardiya National Park Found; Five Others Still Missing

Surkhet. The body of 33-year-old Top Bahadur Khatri from Barahatal Rural Municipality-2, Surkhet, who went to Bardiya National Park for hunting on Falgun 23, has been recovered.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Mohan Jung Budhathapa of the District Police Office, Surkhet, stated that his body was found on Monday in the Jhakri Khola area of Thakurdwara Municipality-2, Bardiya, which falls within the national park area.

Budhathapa said, 'The deceased's brother-in-law, Aase Mahatara, identified the body after reaching the scene.'

According to him, five people who went for illegal hunting in the park are still missing. The missing persons include 25-year-old Resham Shamseli, 41-year-old Ravilal Damai, 34-year-old Rambahadur Gharti, 30-year-old Sunil Shamseli, all from Barahatal Rural Municipality-1 Jyamire, and 45-year-old Durgabahadur Sijali, a resident of Lekhbesi Municipality-8 Gangate who currently resides in Bardiya.

Aase Mahatara reported to the police on Chaitra 1 that they had gone missing after leaving the village for hunting in the Bardiya National Park, located 17 kilometers south of the village, on Falgun 23, along with his brother-in-law Top Bahadur and five others.

Upon receiving the information, teams led by Police Inspectors from Rani Ghat Police Post, Baghnaha Area Police Office, Baniyabhar, and Babiya Chaur were mobilized. During the search, police recovered one country-made gun and 5 pellets hidden in a cave at Sugar Khola, Barahatal-1, on Chaitra 3.

A joint team of 50 people, including 31 personnel led by Assistant Sub-Lieutenant Dinesh Bik from the Jabardajang Battalion Ratamata of the Nepali Army, police teams under the command of Police Inspectors Bhupendra Thapa and Vivek Bhattarai, and park rangers, has been deployed for the search of the missing persons. 'Further investigation into the incident and the search for the remaining people are ongoing,' said Deputy Superintendent of Police Mohan Jung Budhathapa.