KATHMANDU: Home Minister Sudhan Gurung has embarked on an unannounced monitoring visit to Koshi Province to assess cross-border smuggling and revenue leakage, leaving local security agencies completely in the dark.

The security apparatus across the province scrambled Friday evening after the minister unexpectedly arrived for a surprise inspection of various border checkpoints.

The Home Minister’s direct intervention comes amid growing public grievances regarding rampant illegal smuggling across the open border and the alleged complicity of security personnel.

Gurung focused his visit on the Terai districts of Koshi without notifying top-ranking security officials in advance.

Having recently inspected border points in Parsa of Madhesh Province, Minister Gurung reached various checkpoints in Sunsari on Friday evening.

After assessing the situation in Sunsari, he is reportedly preparing to enter Morang. The minister’s “surprise visit” has put border security officers and administrative bodies on high alert.

According to security sources, the Home Minister plans to conduct on-site inspections of the southern border area near the Jogbani checkpoint in Biratnagar, Morang, as well as adjacent minor border crossings.

He is expected to directly observe the working style of the deployed personnel, the status of border security, and counter-smuggling efforts.

The unexpected arrival has triggered a commotion within the district and police administrations.

Morang’s Chief District Officer, Yubaraj Kattel, acknowledged awareness of the minister’s presence in the province but admitted that the local administration remains unaware of his exact location.

“We are aware that the Honorable Home Minister has arrived, but we have received no official information regarding his current location or which specific areas he intends to inspect,” Kattel said.

Minister Gurung has consistently advocated for a zero-tolerance policy against smuggling.

By deliberately keeping the security agencies out of the loop, this unannounced monitoring mission signals that stern disciplinary action may follow against any personnel found negligent in their duties.