Siliguri, Dec. 29: Police picked up three militants from Nepal here last night.

The rebels, reportedly on their way to meet People’s War Group leaders, were arrested while boarding a Patna-bound bus from the Tenzing Norgey terminus.

Two among those arrested belong to the banned Nepal Communist Party (Maoist) and the separatist group, Kirat Mukti Morcha.

The arrests have thrown light on “suspected” links between the Nepalese Maoists and the militant groups operating in north Bengal.

Addressing a news conference today, additional superintendent of police Rajeev Mishra said the trio had come looking for new gun-running routes in the wake of heightened vigil along the International Border. Attending a secret meeting organised by “their Indian counterparts” — the PWG and the Maoist Communist Centre in Bihar — was also on their agenda.