Burnt Body Discovered in Pokhara Auto Showroom After Arson Attack

10th September 2025, Kathmandu

In a horrifying turn of events following a protest-related arson attack, the burnt body of a young woman has been discovered inside an auto showroom in New Bazaar, Pokhara.

Pokhara Auto Showroom Fire

The showroom, which was set ablaze by protesters on Tuesday, has now become the scene of a tragic death, raising serious questions about the nature of the protests and the safety of individuals caught in the crossfire.

The grim discovery was made on Wednesday as fire services and police personnel were working to extinguish the last remnants of the fire and assess the damage.

According to Superintendent of Police (SP) Shyambabu Oliya, Chief of the Kaski District Police Office, the body was found deep within the charred remains of the building. The extent of the burns has made immediate identification impossible.

The auto showroom is owned and operated by Bindukumar Thapa, who currently serves as the Gandaki Province Minister for Social Development.

The attack on a property linked to a high-profile government official suggests a targeted act, likely fueled by the ongoing political tensions and public discontent that have recently plagued the region.

“We have recovered a burnt body from the site of the fire,” SP Oliya confirmed in a statement to the press. “The body belongs to a young woman, but we have not been able to confirm her identity at this time.

We have sent the body to the Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences for a post-mortem examination, which we hope will provide more clues.”

The police have a working theory regarding the victim’s identity. They suspect the body may belong to a young woman who was an employee at the very same auto showroom.

This theory, if proven true, would add another layer of tragedy to the incident, as it would mean a person directly associated with the business was a victim of the violent protest.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community. While protests are a common form of public expression, the escalation to arson and the resulting loss of life have sparked outrage and concern.

Residents are calling for a thorough and transparent investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the woman’s death and to hold those responsible for the arson accountable.

The political climate in Gandaki Province has been tense for some time. Public demonstrations, often targeting government officials and their properties, have become increasingly frequent.

This particular incident, however, marks a significant and dangerous escalation. The use of violence and destruction of property has now resulted in a human casualty, a grim reminder of how quickly political unrest can spiral out of control.

Police are currently reviewing CCTV footage from the surrounding area and gathering witness testimonies to piece together the events of Tuesday night. The investigation will focus on identifying the individuals or groups responsible for setting the fire and establishing the timeline of the woman’s presence in the showroom.

The possibility that the victim was trapped inside the building as it was being torched is a line of inquiry that is both heartbreaking and chilling.

The tragedy also raises questions about the security measures in place at commercial establishments during periods of unrest. Could more have been done to protect the property and its occupants?

While these are complex issues, the focus for now remains on the victim and her family. The local administration has expressed its condolences and vowed to ensure a swift and comprehensive investigation.

As the community awaits the results of the post-mortem and the police investigation, the charred remains of the auto showroom stand as a somber monument to a life tragically lost.

The incident serves as a stark warning about the potential for violence in protests and underscores the need for peaceful and constructive dialogue to resolve political disputes. The discovery of the burnt body is not just a police case; it is a human tragedy that has deeply impacted the heart of Pokhara.

For more: Pokhara Auto Showroom Fire