IMPHAL, March 16:The Pangei bomb could have been planted by suspected insurgents to ambush passing security force patrolling parties in the area, according to police officers investigating the bomb blast in Pangei area yesterday which killed a minor and severely injured 5 others.
The bomb blast took place yesterday morning at the rented house located at Pangei Lairam Mapal under Heingang Police Station.
Police officials said, initial investigations into the incident have revealed that the bomb wrapped in small box plastered with black tape could have been picked up by the deceased girl Babynao on her way to collect rice from her father Pebam Jilla, who works as a helper in a roadside hotel in Pangei Bazar.
Babynao had picked up the box nearby a large tree which used to be a resting place for patrolling security force personnel in the area, according to witnesses questioned by police investigators.
The reports further said, upon reaching home Babynao and her sisters tried to open the box with a knife. Her sisters had gone looking for a razor blade when the bomb exploded.
Police have also identified residues of RDX from the blast site.
Meanwhile, Babynao’s sisters Preeti and Tracy are still in serious condition and they have been referred to Raj Poly Clinic from JNIMS Hospital yesterday. The others are still in JNIMS.
It may be reminded that a nine-year-old girl was killed and five others seriously injured by a powerful bomb explosion that took place in a rented house located at Pangei Lairam Mapal under Heingang police station in Imphal east district at around 8.30 am yesterday.