A group of three unidentified persons shot dead a bullion trader at Kabilasi Municipality-2 in Sarlahi district on Tuesday evening.

The assailants shot dead Sunil Sah, 27, while he was returning home from his jewellery shop at Pipariya on a motorcycle at around 7:45pm, said police.

 The assailants also looted nine tolas of gold, silver and Rs 25,000 cash.

According to the victim’s father Nagendra Sah, who was riding pillion, three persons intercepted them at an isolated area and looted the valuables and cash.

“They snatched a bag I was carrying. When we tried to defend ourselves, one person took out a pistol and opened fire on my son,” said Nagendra.

Sunil was shot in the neck.

There is only one house in the 30-metre area of the incident site. Sunil had run towards the house after sustaining bullet injury, but he could not make it and fell on the ground.

Police reached the incident 45 minutes after of the incident. The victim was rushed to the district hospital in Malangawa where he was pronounced dead.

“We had heard some sound. But we thought it was from firecrackers as Deepawali is round the corner. We came out after we heard a cry for help and found him [Sunil] lying in a pool of blood,” said Sukeshwori Devi Mandal.

Sunil had started his jewellery shop in Pidari a year ago.

It is learnt that he used to carry all the jewellery and cash home every evening, as he thought it was not safe to keep them at the shop overnight. Pidari Bazaar remained shut on Wednesday to protest the murder.

SP Masud Alam Khan said search is on to nab the culprits involved in the crime.

The gold trader’s murder on Tuesday night took place a day after a renowned builder was shot dead in broad daylight in the heart of the Capital.