Low-intensity bomb blast in Kolkata: One killed, nine injured
A low-intensity bomb blast in Kolkata occurred in the Kazipara area at around 9 am. The explosion was reported to occur outside a fruit shop on the ground floor of a building in a congested area. The area falls under the jurisdiction of the Dum Dum Police Station.
A seven-year-old boy was killed in the blast. Nine others were injured. This includes the boy’s mother. Deputy Police Commissioner, Barrackpore Commissionerate, Ananda Roy said, “A child who was severely injured in the blast died in hospital. A total of nine people are injured.”
Initial investigations revealed that ammonium nitrate was used to carry out the low-intensity bomb blast in Kolkata. The building also houses the office of South Dum Dum Municipality Chairman, Panchu Roy.
A police officer said, “It was a socket bomb explosion. Forensic team and the bomb squad of CID are examining the spot. We have started further investigation.”
Another senior officer added, “Initially, we thought it was a gas cylinder blast. But it is not so. We have found a few iron nails but there is no smell of gunpowder.”
Trinamool Congress leader, Panchu Roy claimed that he was the actual target of the blast. That possibility cannot be averted because after all, the blast took place in his office building.
He said, “It was a pre-planned blast… They had planned to kill me and other TMC workers as it would create panic and help them gain foothold in the area.” He did not name any political party. But he said that these forces were attacking the ruling TMC all over Bengal.
Roy said that the low-intensity bomb blast in Kolkata was not a result of infighting within the TMC. The source of the attack was foreign. It did not come from within the party. But it would be wise to avoid political offices in South Kolkata for the time-being.
