Nepal detains 13 Indian security personnel: Reports (Lead, correcting name in intro)

Thirteen Indian Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel who entered Nepal with arms early on Sunday have been detained, the media reported.

The Armed Police Force (APF) detained them at Kechana in Jhapa after the Indian personnel entered Nepal while chasing oil smugglers, The Kathmandu Post Times reported.

They have been kept at APF camp in Kechana, it said.

Jhapa Chief District Officer Tej Prasad Poudel said they were trying to ascertain if the SSB personnel entered Nepal by mistake.

Locals were quoted as saying that the detained SSB personnel had thrashed a Nepali, Mohammad Alam, while searching his home for smugglers. Four of the 13 SSB personnel had weapons.

The APF team immediately reached Alam's house and detained the Indians.

The SSB personnel reportedly entered Nepal by crossing the no man's land from Kechana.

Smuggling of petrol and diesel has become rampant on the India-Nepal border ever since protests in Madhesi populated areas since September has effectively led to a blockade of the border.

Meanwhile, an Indian number plate bearing jeep was vandalized at Kanchanpur in Nepal, media reports said. Five Maoist cadres were detained following the incident, The Kathmandu Post said.

The police escorted the vandalized jeep across the border into India.