KATHMANDU:Nepal Police have arrested five people, including the alleged leader of the “Karma Group,” on charges of involvement in a series of gold chain and jewellery snatching incidents across the Kathmandu Valley.

At a press briefing on Sunday, the Kathmandu District Police Range said the group was identified during an investigation into multiple chain-snatching cases reported from different parts of the Valley. Police said the suspects primarily targeted women and elderly people, and assaulted victims who resisted.

Four suspects were arrested in Banepa, Kavrepalanchok, on July 31 for their alleged involvement in incidents reported in Koteshwor, New Baneshwor, Tokha and Banepa.

Police later identified the group’s alleged leader as 34-year-old Karma Tamang of Melamchi Municipality-4, Sindhupalchok, currently residing in Boudha, Kathmandu. He was arrested on August 1 from Chunikhel, Budhanilkantha.

According to police, Tamang allegedly attacked officers with a khukuri while resisting arrest. After two warning shots were fired into the air, police shot him below the knee when he allegedly attempted to flee on a motorcycle. He was taken to the National Trauma Centre for treatment.

Police seized a motorcycle, a khukuri, five motorcycle number plates, and tools including a T-lock and master keys allegedly used to steal motorcycles.

Investigators said the group stole 220cc Pulsar motorcycles, changed their number plates to carry out chain-snatching and jewellery thefts, and later altered the motorcycles again before selling them outside the Valley.