An unidentified group shot and injured a Hindu religious leader at Jatuwa in Biratnagar Metropolitan City, Morang, in the wee hours of Sunday.

Acharya Shree Niwas sustained bullet injuries in the chest, said police. He is receiving treatment at Biratnagar-based Neuro Hospital.

An advocate of Hindu state, Acharya Shree Niwas is believed to be close to deposed king Gyanendra Shah. He accompanied the former monarch on the latter’s visit to various religious sites in Province 1 last week. He also has links with Shiva Sena Nepal that has been carrying out activities promoting Hindu religion.

Acharya Shree Niwas was making preparations for Shreemat Bhagwat Saptaha, a weeklong religious programme, which kicked off at Jatuwa on Sunday.

The assailants shot at him when he was out to answer the call of nature at around 2am.

Security personnel recovered a pamphlet with the name of Mangol Army from the incident site. Rajan Kumar Yadav and Binod Das were arrested on Sunday in connection with the incident.

The motive behind the attack is not immediately known, said police, adding that the investigation is under way.