Unidentified group has abducted the father of popular film star Nikhil Upreti on Sunday.

According to reports, Gobinda Upreti, 65, was abducted from his ancestral home in Piparabhitta of Sarlahi district. The reports add that around 20 to 25 armed men had barged into his house in the evening while he was having dinner.

The gang abducted Upreti and took him to unknown place. Family sources have suspected the hand of Jantantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) – a splinter of the Maoists which is engaged in violent activities in eastern Terai region – in his abduction. But this fact has not been established yet.

Film star Upreti has appealed for safe release of his father.