New Delhi raises issue of killing of Indian national with Kathmandu

India has strongly raised the killing of its national at the diplomatic level with Nepal. The matter was raised with the Nepal mission in Delhi, and by the Indian mission in Kathmandu with the Nepal home ministry. 

An Indian national was killed last week at the India-Nepal border by Nepali forces. The incident happened on Friday along Bihar's Sitamarhi district when Nepalese Armed Police Force (NAPF) opened fire during an altercation killing one Bikesh Kumar Rai and injuring three other Indian nationals. One Indian was also taken into custody by the Nepali forces.

Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) that patrols the India-Nepal border said firing by their forces started over "instantly generated local issue" on the "Nepali side". SSB DG Kumar Rajesh Chandra said, "This is a completely local issue that emerged from a local altercation."

The incident happened after locals and Nepal's Armed Police Force had an altercation -- when the former were asked to go back as the lockdown was in force in the country.

What followed was 10-15 rounds of firing by the Nepali side according to local eyewitnesses.

The incident comes amidst heightened tension between India and Nepal after Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli led government issued a new map showing Indian territories as Nepali territories. The Indian side has rejected the new Nepal map saying it has no historical evidence.