Indian national arrested in Pokhara balloon explosion incident

Police have arrested an Indian national who was responsible for filling a balloon with hydrogen gas during the inaugural of Visit Pokhara Year 2025 that led to an accident causing minor burn injury to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Bishnu Paudel.

District Police Office Kaski has arrested Indian national Kamlesh Kumar, 41, and necessary investigations have been initiated against him, informed Deputy Superintendent of Police Basanta Sharma information officer of District Police Office Kaski. However, he was later released after some interrogation.

On February 15, a hydrogen gas-filled balloon exploded when Deputy Prime Minister Paudel and Mayor of Pokhara Metropolitan City Dhanraj Acharya released balloons along with Visit Pokhara Year banner soon after lighting candles through electric switch as part of the ceremony. Two sets of balloon suddenly exploded as soon as Paudel and Acharya released them during the inaugural. The hydrogen filled balloons caught fire as the candles lit for the festival were too close to them.

According to DSP Sharma a case has been registered against Kamalesh in Kaski District Court in connection with the incident under Indecent Behavior.

Finance Minister Paudel and Mayor Acharya sustained in their hands and face when the hydrogen-filled balloon caught fire. Minister Paudel was discharged on Monday after treatment at Kirtipur Burn Hospital in Kathmandu, while Mayor Acharya will remain under medical supervision for a few more days, according to hospital sources.

Police have also recorded statements from some other people involved in the incident.

Soon after the incident Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has formed an investigation committee under the coordination of Bharatmani Pandey, Chief District Officer, Kaski regarding the incident.

Chief District Officer Pandey also confirmed about the arrest and told PTI over phone that Kamalesh has been arrested for questioning as per the preliminary investigation procedure. The committee is taking necessary steps in this regard, he added.