WB: 5 killed in a blast in Haldibari passenger

Siliguri/Kolkata, Nov 20: At least five people were killed and 60 injured, some of them critically, when suspected ultras triggered a major blast in two bogies of Haldibari passenger under North Eastern Frontier (NF) Railway in North Bengal this evening.

Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Raj Kanojia said the passenger train was en-route to New Jalpaiguri from Haldibari in Cooch Behar.

The blast occurred at Belakoba station, he said adding the involvement of any particular militant group or the nature of device was yet to be ascertained.

The injured had been admitted to Jalpaiguri Sadar hospital, where the condition of some was stated to be critical.

Both the bogies had been completely smashed.

A posse of police and senior railway officials had rushed to the spot.

A massive alert had been sounded throughout North Bengal following the blast.

Rescue and relief operation had been started in full swing.

UNI