KATHMANDU: Security agencies have successfully thwarted a plot to incite religious violence and terror in Birgunj ahead of tomorrow’s parliamentary elections.

Thanks to the proactive deployment of the Nepal Army and police, a potential communal clash was averted.

On Thursday night, a group was intercepted while planning to throw a pig’s head into a mosque in Ward No. 16 of Birgunj Metropolitan City and detonate explosives to create panic.

Acting on a tip-off, a team under the command of Deputy Commander Bikash Marhatta increased surveillance in the Chhapkaiya Chowk area.

During an operation conducted from 12:30 a.m. to 2:30 a.m., three suspicious youths were apprehended.

The arrested individuals include 16-year-old Krishna Yadav from Birgunj-16, 18-year-old Rohit Patel from Inaruwa, and 16-year-old Avjit Yadav.

Security sources revealed that the suspects intended to use the pig’s head to provoke clashes between communities and disrupt the election. “They had purchased the pig’s head from the market and planned to throw it into the mosque in two pieces,” said a security official. “Timely intelligence prevented a major incident and a potential religious riot.”

Police recovered nine improvised explosive devices (IEDs), mobile phones, power banks, chargers, and electric wires from the suspects, along with the pig’s head intended to inflame religious sentiments.