An investigation is set to be launched following a fire that broke out in the parking area inside the Armed Police Force (APF) headquarters in Halchowk, Kathmandu.
The fire, which occurred on Wednesday evening, caused damage to several vehicles parked on the premises.
According to Deputy Inspector General Bishnu Prasad Bhatta, central spokesperson for the APF, it is suspected that the fire may have been caused by an electrical short circuit, a charging plug, or a fault in one of the vehicles.
The APF headquarters is preparing to form a committee to investigate the incident.
"Our preliminary understanding is that it started from an electrical circuit, a charging plug, or a vehicle. A committee is in the process of being formed to ascertain the facts," DIG Bhatta said.
The fire damaged six ATVs (quad bikes), one vehicle assigned to a high-ranking official, and two motorcycles.
The APF had been preparing to use the ATVs for patrols in mountainous regions. The four-wheeled vehicles were provided with assistance from the United States government.
"There were ATVs provided by America. They were intended to be used in mountainous districts like Manang and Mustang. They had already been tested in Kathmandu, but the fire occurred before they could be deployed to high-altitude regions," a source said.
The vehicles were still in the process of being officially registered.
