The Inspector General of the Armed Police Force Krishna Mohan Shrestha, his wife and bodyguard were shot dead by suspected Maoists while on a morning walk in Patan, Home Ministry Spokesman Gopendra Pandey said.

Late IGP Krishna Mohan Shrestha. (file photo)

Shrestha and his wife Nodub Shrestha were returning after visiting the Bangalamukhi temple when unidentified assailants fired indiscriminately mowing them down immediately. Armed Police Chief Shrestha died on the spot. There were three assailants who fired around 8 to 10 shots before fleeing. The bodyguard has been identified at Surya Regmi.

The incident occurred at 7:35am, Sunday morning. The bodies are at the police hospital. Senior police and army personnel are paying their respects at the hospital. No cremation plans have been made till now and no arrests have been made so far (till 10:30 am).

This is the first ever attack on a high ranking police officer after a Superintendent of Police was shot dead in Lamahi in west Nepal nearly a year ago. Shrestha is the senior most security personnel to be targeted. He survived by three daughters eldest one is studying in India and two twins.

This incident comes after suspected Maoists three weeks ago shot and injured a civilian helicopter pilot at Bhatbhoteni in Kathmandu.