Kathmandu: A helicopter carrying Balen Shah, senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party and a candidate from Jhapa Constituency No. 5, returned to Kathmandu after reaching the skies above Okhaldhunga District due to heightened security concerns.
Shah had departed from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu aboard a helicopter operated by Heli Everest along with four other passengers en route to Jhapa District. However, the aircraft reportedly turned back without landing after authorities warned of increased security risks at the intended destination.
A source familiar with the situation told local media that the helicopter returned after high-level security agencies advised the pilot to abort the landing. The source said the decision was made purely on security grounds.
Officials at Tribhuvan International Airport also clarified that the flight had obtained all required permissions and that the return was not related to any issue with the Election Commission Nepal or weather conditions.
According to airport officials, the helicopter had proper authorization for the flight. They also noted that several other political leaders had received similar travel permissions during the election period. For instance, Pushpa Kamal Dahal had traveled from Chitwan District to Rukum East District during the campaign period. Officials emphasized that Shah was not singled out, and permissions had been granted to leaders from different parties as requested.
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