KATHMANDU: Nepal Police is preparing a special nationwide operation to recapture more than 5,800 prisoners still at large after protests by Gen Z on September 8-9.

Around 800 looted firearms also remain missing.

Of the 14,549 inmates who fled during the unrest, 8,735 have returned.

Police have recovered 274 of about 1,250 stolen weapons, while 96 were found burned.

The government’s surrender deadline expired Monday, prompting the planned crackdown.

Officials say some fugitives have threatened high-level home and judicial authorities, and many were convicted of serious crimes, including murder and drug trafficking.

The jailbreaks followed reports that Rastriya Swatantra Party leader Rabi Lamichhane had been released for security reasons, sparking coordinated prison breakouts and attacks on police stations and public offices.

Authorities suspect most of the escaped foreign inmates—mainly Indian nationals involved in murder, smuggling, and trafficking—have crossed into India.

Over 1,400 juveniles also fled from reform centers, with most yet to return.