Kailali in Fear: Three Brutal Attacks Shake the District in One Week

Kailali district has witnessed a series of three violent attacks in a single week, leaving local residents in shock and fear. From beheadings to knife assaults, the incidents highlight a rising trend of criminal activity in the region.

Beheading Incident in Ghodaghodi Municipality

On Friday, October 11, 2025 (24 Ashwin 2082 BS) at 11:22 PM, two young men arrived at a temporary police post in Ghodaghodi Municipality-6, Pratikhet Basanta, carrying a bloodied human head. They confessed to killing 28-year-old Keshar Bahadur Budha from Ghodaghodi Municipality-8, Jarai. Two other victims, 19-year-old Bal Bahadur Bik and 19-year-old Ganga Budha Kshetri, accompanied the head to the police post.

According to DSP Ramesh Datt Awasthi of the Sukhad Area Police Office, the attackers did not even know the victim personally; the killing occurred during a minor dispute. Identification was later confirmed by checking the victim’s mobile phone.

The murder reportedly took place at a local snack shop where Keshar had been drinking. Following a verbal altercation, the attackers struck him, leaving him in a nearby drainage channel. Bal Bahadur then ran approximately 100 meters to retrieve a sickle and decapitated Keshar. The perpetrators then brought the head to the police station, leaving the body behind at the scene.

Fatal Home Attack in Godawari Municipality

In another incident, 35-year-old Sher Bahadur Chaudhary was sleeping at home in Godawari Municipality-10, Khamoura when, at around 2:00 AM on Friday, October 11, 2025 (24 Ashwin 2082 BS), Lokendra Mall and his brother Vikas Mall broke into his house, threatening to kill him.

Chaudhary fled through a back door but was later found dead near the confluence of the Olani and Godawari rivers. DSP Ran Bahadur Chand of the Attariya Area Police Office stated that the victim’s mouth was bleeding. Postmortem reports are pending, and investigations are ongoing. Family members have filed a complaint, alleging that Chaudhary was beaten to death following a prior dispute during a traditional duet singing (Dohori) event. Both Malls were arrested the same night for attempted murder and property damage and are under police custody.

Knife Attack at Shubham Hotel

On Sunday night, October 6, 2025 (20 Ashwin 2082 BS), a group of youths attacked 32-year-old Gaurav Air from Nawdurg Village, Dadeldhura, Ward 1 at Shubham Hotel, Godawari Municipality-4. Air sustained severe injuries to the head, hands, and body and was flown to Rudrapur, India, for treatment due to the seriousness of his condition.

DSP Chand of the Malakheti Police Office reported that 11 attackers have been arrested. They were caught near the Trinagar border while attempting to flee to India.

The arrested youths belong to a gang known as “Kobra Sarkar”, including a member named Sunny Nepali. Authorities noted that this gang was previously involved in a knife attack on employees of the Attariya Electricity Authority last year. While one suspect, Pravin Shahi, was arrested, others remained at large, committing further violent crimes.

Community in Fear

These three brutal attacks over the past week have left residents terrified. Locals report living in constant fear, with incidents ranging from beheadings to home invasions and hotel stabbings. People are forced to flee from their homes to save their lives, and even casual outings, such as visiting a snack shop, have turned deadly.

Jail Escapes and Rising Crime

Kailali prison has reportedly had multiple escapes, with 285 inmates still at large, according to jailer Chiranjeevi Sapkota. The presence of escaped prisoners in the community is believed to have emboldened criminals, contributing to the recent surge in violent incidents.

However, Kailali District Police Office spokesperson DSP Raj Bahadur Singh stated that no direct crimes have been reported in the district by the escaped inmates so far. He added that the mere presence of fugitives may have encouraged other individuals to commit crimes.