Three killed in Siliguri blast, IEDs recovered

Siliguri, Apr 3 (UNI) Three people were killed in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion near the Siliguri Circuit House at Samarnagar under Champasari area today.

North Bengal IG R J S Nalwa confirming the death said, ''One nine mm pistol, two live bombs and four IEDs were recovered from the spot.

Two of the IEDs had exploded.'' Mr Nalwa further added that all the three victims were from Sikkim but had not yet been identified.

Police, however, suspect that the deceased might have had some links with the Tibetan protestors.

''The blast occurred at about 1300 hours in a tin roofed rented house,'' Deputy Superintendent of Police Pradeep Kumar said.

One of the victims died on way to the hospital while the other two succumbed to injuries in the hospital.

Initial reports stated that the blast was caused following explosion of a gas cylinder.

The entire area had been cordoned off, police said, adding investigation was on to ascertain the links of the deceased with any militant or Maoist group.

UNI XC PP PL KLC1732