Two dead, 17 injured in crude bomb blast in Arrah civil court in Bihar; two undertrials escape

www.mangaloretoday.com

Patna, Jan 23, 2015 (IBN Live): Two people have been killed in a crude bomb explosion that took place on Friday morning in the Arrah civil court in Bhojpur district of Bihar.

One woman and one police constable are among the people dead in the blast. While some eyewitnesses claimed the woman was carrying the bomb but police officials say they cannot confirm the same.

The woman’s body was blown to pieces. Seventeen people have been injured in the explosion and admitted to a nearby hospital.

Senior police and administrative officials are at the court supervising investigations and relief operations. The nature of the blast and the kind of explosives used are unknown.

While National Investigation Agency has moved to Arrah from Patna, Ministry of Home Affairs sources ruled out the terror angle and called the blast a criminal act. "The lady was carrying the crude bomb towards the lockup. When the police constable stopped her the bomb exploded killing both. We are not seeking a report at the moment as it appears to be a law and order issue," said a Home Ministry official.

Bihar Director General of Police PK Thakur said that the woman killed was going towards the prisoners cell inside the court premises. "It seems she may be carrying a bomb towards the cell. Investigation is going on" said Thakur.

Arrah MP RK Singh, who is a former union home secretary, also ruled out the terror angle and said that two undertrials had escaped in the confusion following the blast.

The incident comes even as the country is on high alert ahead of the Republic Day on January 26.