5 killed, 85 injured in Malegaon blast

Nashik, Sep 30 (UNI) Five people were killed and 85 injured in a bomb blast followed by a stampede in Malegaon in Nashik district late last night.

Initial reports, however, mentioned that the explosion was caused by a cylinder blast. However, police today confirmed that the high intensity bomb blast occurred in front of a hotel in Anjuman Chowk area near Noorani Masjid.

''Though earlier we felt it was an LPG cylinder blast, it has been confirmed that it was a bomb blast,'' said Suryapratap Gupta, Spl Inspector General of Police (Nashik Range).

Deputy Superintendent of Police Veeresh Prabhu was among the 85 injured along with other police personnel. The injured have been admitted to Noor Hospital, Faran Hospital and Malegaon Medical Foundation and Research Centre. The casualty is likely to increase, police said.

Curfew has been eased in the town and the situation is slowly returning to normalcy. Strict police vigil has been in place in the town. Many senior officials including Superintendent of Police Nikhil Gupta, District Collector S Chokkalingam and Mr Gupta are monitoring the situation. Experts will reach the town to carry out further investigations.

Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister R R Patil will visit Malegaon today, police added.

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