A policeman and a local youth were injured when personnel from the Armed Police Force and suspected smugglers clashed at Ghuski along the Nepal-India border in Sunsari on Friday night.

Sawaj Ansari of Ward No. 6 in Harinagar Rural Municipality sustained critical bullet injuries in the incident. He was rushed to the BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan for treatment. APF constable Jibaraj Bishankhe was also injured in the clash.

According to APF SP Krishna Dhakal, a group of around eight people attacked security personnel on duty when they seized smuggled goods from the group. Dhakal claimed the smugglers attacked the security personnel with batons and bricks and attempted to snatch away their weapons.

“The security personnel opened fire to contain the situation and accidentally hit the man,” said Dhakal.

There were 10 security personnel in the post when the incident took place at around 9pm on Friday. A reinforcement of 80 APF personnel reached the site at around 1am on Saturday.

Clashes between security personnel and smugglers have been frequently reported in the border area since the nationwide lockdown came into effect. On Thursday night, Nepal Police personnel and smugglers traded fire in Dewangunj of Sunsari but no one was injured in the incident.

Meanwhile, three Nepal Police personnel were injured when a group of local youths attacked them in Ritha Bazaar of Budhiganga Municipality in Bajura district on Friday night. The injured are receiving treatment at Bayalpata Hospital in neighbouring Achham district.