KATHMANDU: Early Tuesday morning, two vehicles were set on fire at separate locations in Kathmandu. Police reported that a van (Ba 7 Cha 1401) near Naikap Bridge and a car (BAA 2836) in Sukedhara were found ablaze.

According to SP Pawan Kumar Bhattarai of Kathmandu District Police, the incidents occurred around 2:45 a.m. and 3:45 a.m., respectively.

Firefighters promptly reached at both scenes and extinguished the flames.

Investigators recovered leaflets connected to medical practitioner Durga Prasai at the sites.

Based on this evidence, authorities suspect individuals linked to Prasain may have carried out the arson. “Both vehicle owners have not yet been reached. We are searching for them and pursuing the group associated with the recovered leaflets,” SP Bhattarai said.

Durga Prasain is currently in Bhaktapur District Police custody, accused of planning activities aimed at disrupting the upcoming election on March 5.

Police believe the group may have conducted the arson as part of election-targeted protests. Investigations are ongoing.