Two motorcycle-borne assailants shot dead a police officer in Saptari district on Monday evening.

Assistant Sub-inspector Ramesh Subba was hit in the chest and thigh at around 5.45pm near Bhaudaha Chowk. According to police, critically injured Subba was rushed to Sagarmatha Zonal Hospital, Rajbiraj, where he was pronounced dead. “A police team has reached the incident site. The motive behind the incident will be known after a detailed investigation,” said Deputy Inspector General of Police Madhav Joshi.

The Jaikrishna Goit-led Akhil Tarai Mukti Morcha has owned up the incident. Talking to local journalists on telephone, Goit claimed responsibility for the murder. Subba, a resident of Bhadrapur-10 in Jhapa, was posted to Jhutki Police Post in Saptari. He was attacked near the post. The site is about 35 km west of Rajbiraj.

Saptari police chief Bhim Dhakal said it was not clear whether Subba was alone or in a patrol team. The assailants fled after the crime.