Two killed, seven injured in Manipur bomb blast

IMPHAL: Two persons were killed and seven others got seriously injured when a powerful bomb, allegedly planted by militants, exploded at Yaiskul area in Imphal West district of Manipur, police said.

The bomb (improvised explosive device), planted near the roadside at Yaiskul bus stand here to attack the security personnel, went off at 6.20am killing one person on the spot and injuring eight others, they said.

While one of the injured died in a hospital, the condition of seven others who are now in the emergency department of the Regional Institute of Medical Science and Hospital was reported to be 'serious', sources said.

The spot is about one kilometre south of the official residence of chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh and Manipur police headquarters which is adjacent to Singh's office-cum-residence, sources said.

Immediately after the incident, senior police officials rushed to the spot and blocked the exit points to launch a search but no arrest could be made, sources said, adding that the bomb might have been planted late last night with a timer.

Today's explosion is the second such incident since yesterday.

Five persons were injured when a powerful bomb exploded yesterday at Imphal market complex, about one kilometre north of Ibobi Singh's residence and the Raj Bhavan.