KATMANDU, Nepal, May 6 (UPI) -- A well-known Hindu leader was shot to death by six gunmen in southwestern Nepal early Friday morning, the BBC reports.
Narayan Pokharel, president of the Nepal branch of the World Hindu Council, died in a hail of gunfire in the district of Rupandehi. Pokharel is known for his oration and his dedication to charity, the Nepalnews Online said.
The incident happened in Dudrakshya village in Rupandehi district, 185 miles from Kathmandu where Pokharel was attending a religious function. According to witnesses he was called out of the guest house by six men on motorcycles. When he appeared he was shot dead and the assailants fled.
A colleague of Pokharel was injured during the attack.
No one has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, police say the manner in which it was carried out hints at the involvement of Maoist rebels.
The right-wing World Hindu Council has its headquarters in neighboring India and has branches all over the world.
