One injured in bomb explosion at vice president's resident

Kathmandu, Aug 17 (UNI) One person was injured when a minor bomb exploded at the residence of Vice-President Paramanand Jha in Gaurighat near Pashupatinath temple this evening.

The bomb was minor one and the Vice-President was not at the residence when the bomb exploded, SP Sarbendra Khanal said.

The injured person was rushed to hospital for treatment and the police have launched the investigation.

It is not clear who was behind the explosion.

Recently, Mr Jha was in controversy after he took oath in Hindi, leading to protest across the country.

Mr Jha was elected as Nepal's first Vice-President last month after the Himalayan nation abolished the 239-year-old monarchy and turned it into a republic.

''Somebody threw a bomb at the window of my home under the cover of darkness when there was no electricity in the area,'' Reuters quoted Mr Jha as saying, adding, ''I am safe but the blast destroyed the window panes of the building.'' He said two of his security guards were hurt but according to police official only one guard was wounded.

No one has claimed responsibility for the blast which is being investigated, he told Reuters.

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