Three Indian men have been arrested with an automatic pistol, four magazines and 51 rounds of bullets from Kathmandu on Wednesday.

Police swung into action and made the arrest after hearing the sound of a gunshot inside the Heritage Plaza at Kamaladi.

Police identified the arrestees as Jasabir Singh, Arbind Singh and Devendra Singh from Ludhiana of Punjab state, India. They have been arrested with a car bearing a registration number plate of Punjab.

"We suspect that they might have entered Nepal with a mission," said Superintendent of Police (SP) Ram Dutta Joshi, Spokesperson of Metropolitan Police Range, Teku. "Given the gravity of the crime that was averted, the case will now be handled by Special Bureau."

Police are investigating to know the cause behind the firing at Heritage Plaza that houses many corporate offices. However, no one was injured in the firing, police said.

It has been learnt that the trio had entered Kathmandu from Sunauli of Bhairahwa on Tuesday.

They were living in Himalayan Darshan Hotel, Thamel. Police are yet to know why they came to Kathmandu with the pistol.

SP Joshi said Arbind had produced pistol after a debate over payment of snacks bill in Kamalpokhari. 

The porous border with India has been a major security threat inside the country. Many criminals from India and Nepal have been using the advantage of open border to commit crimes. 

Police have not been able to make any arrest in connection with the murder of Sharad Kumar Gauchan, president of the Federation of Contractors’ Associations of Nepal (FCAN), who was shot dead on October 9.

Police investigation so far show that the shooters might have already crossed the Indian border.

Photos: Hemanta Shrestha