Three people were injured when police and drug dealers traded fire at Khanar of Sunsari district on Monday. 

Acting on a tip off, a team of police had reached Morang Irrigation Project site located at Khanar in Itahari sub metropolis city-14 to arrest the smugglers. However, the smugglers opened fire as soon as they saw the police.

Eastern Regional Police Chief DIG Keshiraj Ghimire said that police had to open shots in retaliation. The gangsters shot a motorcycle belonging to police. Ghimire further informed the gang members were notorious for criminal offences as well.

The injured gangsters have been identified as Shrawan Sardar, Karishma Chaudhary and Satan Paswan. They have been taken to Dharan-based BP Koirala Hospital for treatment.

Sunsari SP Poshraj Pokharel said police recovered corex and weapons from the incident site.