KATHMANDU: The Kathmandu Valley police have launched a ‘sweep operation’ to recover weapons looted during the Gen Z movement.

The operation, which began on Sunday, aims to locate the stolen arms, according to AIG Dan Bahadur Karki, Chief of the Valley Police.

“This is a security-sensitive operation conducted jointly and in a planned manner to recover looted weapons, materials, and apprehend individuals involved,” AIG Karki said.

As part of the operation, police conducted searches at various locations across Kathmandu on Sunday.

The sweep targeted Block ‘B’ of Sampada Boys Hostel in Subidhanagar, Kathmandu Metropolitan City–32, and Block ‘A’ in Prayag Marga, Kathmandu Metropolitan City–31.

During the operation, police recovered hidden items from a store inside Block ‘A’.

The recovered items included two handcuffs, one APF body protector with stick, one police axe, and a hard disk, AIG Karki said.

Govind Kumar Thakur, 24, a warden of Block ‘A’ hostel and a resident of Janakpur Sub-Metropolitan City–7, Dhanusha, has been arrested on charges of looting these items.

In Lalitpur, police found an abandoned Chinese handcuff in Motichowk, Tikathali, Mahalaxmi Municipality–5, according to Lalitpur Division Chief SSP Hobindra Bogati.

The item was brought to the local police post by a team deployed from Tikathali Police Station.

Earlier on Sunday afternoon, police also recovered a Chinese pistol, magazine, and three bullets from the banks of the Hanumante River in Tikathali.

On the second day of the Gen Z movement, police units across the valley reported large-scale looting of both small and large firearms and ammunition.

The Ministry of Home Affairs had given a deadline until mid-October for the return of looted weapons.

After the deadline passed, the ministry instructed the police to conduct special operations to recover the weapons.