One person was killed after the Armed Police Force opened fire during a clash between two communities in Sunsari district on Sunday night, leaving 22 people injured, including 13 security personnel, police said.

The violence broke out in Kaptanganj, ward 3 of Dewanganj Rural Municipality, at around 10:15pm after a dispute over loud music played by devotees participating in the annual Bolbam pilgrimage during the Hindu month of Shrawan.

According to the Sunsari District Police Office, a group of Hindu devotees had collected holy water from the Koshi Barrage and were heading towards Kaptanganj Chowk with loudspeakers when members of another community objected to the loud music. The verbal dispute quickly escalated into pushing and shoving before erupting into a violent clash.

A police team led by Inspector Prakash Kumar Shrestha from the Kaptanganj Police Post initially tried to defuse the situation. However, the confrontation intensified as more people from both communities gathered at the scene carrying sticks, bamboo poles, stones and spears.

Additional personnel from the Dewanganj Area Police Office, Ghuski and Sahebganj police posts, and the Armed Police Force (APF) were deployed to contain the violence.

Police said officers came under heavy stone pelting from both sides, injuring eight Nepal Police personnel, including Inspector Rakesh Rai of the Dewanganj Area Police Office. Rai suffered a head injury that required five stitches, while the injuries of the other officers were described as minor.

As the situation deteriorated, Inspector Rai fired three warning shots into the air with his service pistol, police said.

According to preliminary police findings, personnel from the Armed Police Force then opened fire at around 10:45pm. Authorities have yet to determine why live rounds were fired or how many shots were discharged. An investigation is underway.

Thirty-year-old Om Prakash Mehta of ward 4 in Dewanganj Rural Municipality was struck by a bullet and died while being taken to a hospital in Biratnagar, police said.

Another man, 20-year-old JayaPrakash Mehta of ward 3, was seriously injured. Several others are receiving treatment at Neuro Hospital and Birat Nursing Home in Biratnagar.

Police said five Armed Police Force personnel were also injured, although their identities have yet to be released.

Following the violence, authorities deployed 211 Nepal Police officers and an additional 165 Armed Police Force personnel from units across Koshi Province to prevent further unrest.

Police said the two communities have since been separated and discussions are underway with community representatives to ease tensions. The situation is currently under control, with heavy security deployed across the area.

The Sunsari District Security Committee held an emergency meeting after the incident and decided to tighten security to prevent further violence. The district administration urged residents to remain calm, avoid spreading or believing rumours, and cooperate with authorities in maintaining peace and public order.