Police have recovered 400-year-old idols and ornaments stolen from a temple in Naudobahal, Lalitpur, and arrested three persons involved in the theft.

The Lalitpur Metropolitan Police Range (MPR) arrested Man Bahadur Magar, 53, of Imadol and Ganesh Bahadur Shrestha, 36, and Min Bahadur Khatri, 46, of Kavre along with the stolen items.

The artefacts, which were made public by police on Sunday, were stolen from the Buddha temple in Naudobahal about a month ago, police said.

The stolen goods included two ancient idols and silver and gold ornaments.

According to SSP Pitamber Adhikari, chief of Laltipur MPR, Shrestha had drilled a hole on the wall of the temple and then broke the lock before the trio made off with the idols and ornaments.

“The mastermind behind the theft will be arrested soon, as we have already identified him,” said SSP Adhikari.

We will hand over these items to the temple authorities after completing the due legal procedures, said police.

Police have also stepped up security in the area.