Former state minister for Home Affairs Devendra Raj Kandel survived an assassination attempt on Friday. Two Indian sharp shooters tried to shoot Kandel with a pistol at his hometown Lalitapurak in Badahara Dubauliya VDC, Nawalparasi, at 1:30pm.

Kandel was staying at a party cadre’s house when the incident took place. Superin-tendent of Police Nal Prasad Upadhyay said the bid was staved off by Kandel’s bodyguard, Sub-inspector Dipak Ghimire. “SI Ghimire grabbed the two before they could fire and snatched the pistol from them,” said SP Upadhyay.

Both of them were handed over to Nepal Police along with the pistol. Locals torched a motorcycle with Indian registration UP 53 A 9856 after the attempt.

Indian nationals Ujjal Gartaula and Jogendra Paswan of Thutibari were arrested on the attempted murder charge. Kandel is the Nawalparasi district chairman of the Nepali Congress. He had sustained bullet injuries also in the past during the Maoist insurgency. Later, he was attacked at home during the Madhes agitation four years ago. Friday’s was the third attempt on his life.

Talking to the Post on the phone, Kandel said he knew the accused and alleged him to be a drug addict. “But I don’t know why people are trying to kill me time and again,” said Kandel.

He added that he provided shelter to Gartaula’s family in the past.

Police said they are investigating into the matter. Security in the district has been tightened following the incident.