• City airport is closed until Wednesday evening.
• Prohibitory orders nationwide to stay until Thursday.
• Relevant groups coordinating to tackle situation: army.

Armed soldiers guarded Nepal’s parliament on Wednesday, amid streets deserted after an indefinite curfew was clamped on the capital, Kathmandu, following two days of deadly anti-graft protests that spurred Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign.

The worst upheaval in decades in the poor Himalayan nation was unleashed by a social media ban announced last week but rolled back after 19 people died on Monday as police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to control crowds.

Burnt vehicles and twisted metal heaps littered the area around parliament, where army firefighters battled to douse a blaze in the main hall, while the exterior was charred after angry protesters set it ablaze on Tuesday.

Among the victims of the violence was Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, wife of former prime minister Jhalanath Khanal, who died after protesters allegedly set her home on fire, according to family members.

“We are trying to normalise the situation first,” army spokesman Raja Ram Basnet said. “We are committed to protect the life and property of people.”

Armoured vehicles kept vigil in streets deserted except for a few strollers, with shops and markets shut.

Several other government buildings, from the supreme court to ministers’ homes, including Oli’s private residence, were also set ablaze in Tuesday’s protests, with the unrest subsiding only after the resignation.

Flights were disrupted, with the main airport in Kathmandu shut until 6pm (1215 GMT), an airport spokesperson said.

Talks to defuse crisis

In an appeal on X, the army said prohibitory orders would stay until Thursday morning, adding that relevant parties were coordinating to tackle the situation after the protest and resolve the issue.

The media also said preparations were being made for authorities and protesters to hold talks, without giving details. Reuters could not independently confirm the information.

Former Supreme Court judge Balaram KC urged the protesters to set up a negotiation team, with the army helping to maintain law and order, and called for fresh elections.

“Parliament should be dissolved and fresh elections held,” the constitutional expert told Reuters. “They should discuss forming the next caretaker government.”

Most of the protesters were young people voicing frustration at the government’s perceived failure to fight corruption and boost economic opportunities.

For years, a lack of jobs has driven millions to seek work in countries such as Malaysia, the Middle East and South Korea, mainly on construction sites, so as to send money home.

Wedged between India and China, Nepal has struggled with political and economic instability since protests led to the abolition of its monarchy in 2008.

India’s security cabinet also met late on Tuesday to discuss the situation in its neighbour.

“Nepal’s stability, peace, and prosperity are of utmost importance,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X later. “I humbly appeal to all my brothers and sisters in Nepal to maintain peace and order.”

KATHMANDU: Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, the wife of former Nepal Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, has died after sustaining fatal burn injuries when protesters allegedly set her home ablaze in Dallu, Kathmandu, Indian media reported on Tuesday.

According to family members, demonstrators forced Chitrakar inside the residence before igniting the fire. She was rushed to Kirtipur Burn Hospital in critical condition but succumbed to her injuries during treatment. Reports indicated she had suffered severe burns to multiple parts of her body, including her lungs.

The attack came as violent, Gen Z-led protests spread across Nepal for a second consecutive day, triggered by corruption allegations, unemployment, and the government’s social media ban.

Despite the ban being lifted late Monday, demonstrators continued torching buildings, leading to the closure of Kathmandu airport and prompting India to issue an advisory urging its nationals in Nepal to remain indoors.

Videos circulating online showed the Parliament building and residences of top political leaders, including President Ram Chandra Paudel, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, and former premiers Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and Sher Bahadur Deuba, being set on fire.

Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel was also reportedly attacked, though the authenticity of some footage could not be independently verified.

At least 19 people were killed during rallies a day earlier, one of the deadliest crackdowns in years which fuelled public anger. Facing mounting pressure, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli tendered his resignation, with aides confirming he stepped down after consultations with the Nepal Army Chief.

President Ramchandra Paudel, whose offices were also set on fire by mobs, pleaded for “all parties to exercise restraint, to not allow further damage”.

The call was echoed by neighbouring India, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that the “stability, peace and prosperity of Nepal are of utmost importance to us”.

The United Nations rights chief, Volker Turk, said he was “appalled” by the violence and called for talks. Those appeals did not seem to be heeded.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said the headquarters of a major publisher — the Kantipur Media Group — was burning, and called on “protesters not to target journalists”.

The International Crisis Group called it a “major inflection point in the country’s uneasy experience with democratic rule”.

Kathmandu’s airport remains open, but some flights were cancelled after smoke from fires affected visibility, airport spokesman Rinji Sherpa said.

— With additional input from AFP.

• Qatar condemns strike as reckless and unlawful.
• Saudi Arabia warns of dire regional consequences.
• Turkey says Israel pursuing expansionist politics.
  

Pakistan has strongly condemned Israel’s air strike in Doha targeting Hamas leaders, terming it a “most dangerous provocation” that threatens regional peace and stability.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a statement on X, said the attack was “unlawful and heinous”, as it endangered the lives of innocent civilians by striking a residential area in the Qatari capital.

“This act of aggression by Israel is totally unjustified, a brazen violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar, and constitutes a most dangerous provocation that could imperil regional peace and stability,” he said.

Expressing solidarity with the Qatari leadership, he added that Pakistan “stands firmly with the State of Qatar, as well as with the people of Palestine against Israel’s aggression”.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also condemned the strike, calling it “reprehensible” and a blatant violation of international law. He stressed that Pakistan “reiterates its unwavering support for the people and the State of Qatar in these grave times”.

Israel confirmed it had carried out the attack as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility.”

Qatar, where Hamas has long maintained its political base, strongly condemned the “cowardly” strike, with its foreign ministry declaring it a “blatant violation of international laws and norms” that posed a serious threat to the safety of Qataris and residents.

Doha Spokesperson Majed Al Ansari said on X that Qatar “will not tolerate this reckless Israeli behaviour”.

The international community also voiced alarm. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres termed the attack a “flagrant violation of sovereignty”, urging all parties to work towards a permanent ceasefire.

Saudi Arabia condemns and denounces in the strongest terms the brutal Israeli aggression and flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the sisterly State of Qatar.

The foreign ministry statement warned of “the dire consequences resulting from the Israeli occupation’s persistence in its criminal violations and its blatant violation of the principles of international law and all international norms.”

Pope Leo described the situation as “very serious”, while Saudi Arabia denounced the strike as “brutal aggression” with dire consequences for the region.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said it was part of Israel’s “series of aggressions” against regional stability. Iran labelled the strike “dangerous” and a breach of international law, while the UAE condemned it as a “cowardly” escalation and pledged solidarity with Qatar.

Turkiye said targeting Hamas’s delegation during ongoing ceasefire talks proved Israel had no intention of peace but was instead pursuing “expansionist politics” and using “terrorism as state policy”.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Israel’s attack on Hamas officials in Qatar is “dangerous” and a “violation of international law”, Iranian media reported.

Jordan and the United Arab Emirates also condemned the Israeli strikes in Doha.