Armed Police Force personnel fired warning shots on Wednesday night after a clash with locals near Duhabi Dhalachowk, ward 2 of Bideha Municipality in Dhanusha district.

The incident occurred around 8pm when a patrol team deployed from the proposed border security post in Mainathpur tried to seize smuggled goods stored in a mango orchard. About 50 to 60 residents threw stones at the police, prompting four warning shots to be fired to control the situation, according to the District Police Office, Dhanusha.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Narahari Regmi said a motorcycle carrying groceries worth roughly Rs50,000 was seized during the operation. He added that police were forced to open fire after locals obstructed the confiscation.

Regmi also noted a similar confrontation had taken place at the same spot two weeks earlier.

Smuggling is common along the open Nepal-India border, where porous security allows frequent illegal movement of goods.

Earlier on Wednesday, protests erupted in Saptari following the death of a man shot by police during a clash with smugglers.