Two Cops Among 6 Killed In Malda Bomb Explosion

Malda: Six people were killed, including two cops and at least seven were injured, when crude bombs used for making bombs exploded in a house in Baishnabnagar in Malda district.

The incident took place around 2AM on Monday at Jainpur village in Baishnabnagar, about 350km from Kolkata. Among those who died was Kalam Sheikh, a Trinamool member of the gram panchayat. The others were Israel Sheikh, Sukhu Sheikh and Shimu Sheikh, all local Trinamool workers. Kalam was a notorious criminal, also an expert in making bombs.

Sohel Rana, Kalam’s nephew, said: “Congress-backed goons attacked my uncle and some other Trinamool activists after the elections. I think my uncle was making bombs with other Trinamool men to strike back. However, I have no idea how the bombs went off.” But later he said, “I don’t know whether my uncle was making bombs.”

Two policemen, one sub-inspector and a constable, also succumbed to their injuries late on Monday night. They were among the three CID officials who were injured when some unexploded crude bombs went off while they were inspecting the site. The house was used for making bombs. No one lived in it.

“There were at least 15 men at the spot when the mishap occurred. We are yet to trace the rest,” said an officer of the Baishnabnagar police station.

Malda police super Syed W Reja said: “Primary investigation suggests the persons were making bombs. Police went to the village after the explosion. The owner of the house is missing after the incident.”

Five of the injured were admitted to a local nursing home and one to state-run Malda Medical College and Hospital (MMCH) in a critical condition.