Nepal: Police arrest two suspected terrorists in Dhading December 1

Event

Nepalese police arrested two suspected would-be terrorists on Prithvi Highway in Khanikhola (Dhading district) on Friday, December 1. The suspects were reportedly carrying a pressure cooker filled with wires and two socket bombs on a bus from Kakarbhitta to Kathmandu before authorities confiscated the materials during a security check. The arrests come days after unknown assailants ambushed the vehicle of a Nepalese parliamentary candidate, wounding at least four people (including the candidate) in Udayapur district (Eastern Development Region) on Wednesday, November 29.

Authorities are on heightened alert against attacks, including targeting political candidates, in advance of the second phase of the general elections scheduled on Thursday, December 7. A heightened security presence and consequent traffic disruptions are to be expected around polling centers in Kathmandu and the southern half of the country, and at India-Nepal border crossings, in advance of the elections.

Context

Nepal's general election was announced in mid-August 2017, in a bid to conclude a turbulent journey to democracy a decade after a civil war and the abolition of Nepal's 239-year-old monarchy. The election's timing is in line with Nepal's first constitution, drawn up in 2015, which requires a new parliament to be in place before January 21, 2018.

The first phase of the general election took place in the northern half of the country on Sunday, November 26. The vote took place without major upheaval, although some minor incidents were reported. At least four people were injured in clashes with security personnel at polling stations. Additionally, voting was temporarily suspended at one polling station after an explosive device was discovered nearby; two other polling stations temporarily halted voting after the ballot boxes were attacked with acid. As a precaution, all Nepal-India border crossing points were closed for two days prior to and the day of the first phase of the election. The second phase of Nepal's general elections will take place on Thursday, December 7, in the capital city of Kathmandu and the southern half of the country.

Security measures will remain heightened nationwide in an effort to address any potential threats surrounding the election, with some 250,000 security personnel reportedly deployed across the country to protect polling stations. Additionally, the government will likely close India-Nepal border crossing points in the immediate lead-up to the day of the vote.

Advice

Individuals present in Nepal during the electoral period are advised to remain vigilant, to avoid all polling stations, party offices, and public gatherings, and to abide by all instructions issued by the authorities.