An unidentified group torched an excavator and destroyed around 4,000 litres of diesel at a road construction site in Bajhang on Monday night.

The Dangaji-Mahendra-dhar-Kholibazaar road was being built by Caravan Construction as a part of Decentralised Rural Infrastructure and Livelihood Project to connect Bajhang with neighbouring Doti district.

Arjun Khadka, the site in-charge of the construction firm, said properties worth nearly Rs 12 million were destroyed in the arson.

The attack comes months after a gang had vandalised an excavator at the same road construction site. Police have launched a manhunt to arrest the suspects.