2 blasts hit Madurai, timer devices used

Madurai, Oct 1: Two low intensity blasts similar to the ones that occurred last year have been reported from Madurai in Tamil Nadu.

Two low intensity bombs connected to a timer device went off in two state run buses which were parked at the Vaigai riverbed near the Arapalayam bus stand here on Wednesday night. No injuries were reported.

The police say that the blast is similar to the one that occurred in the year 2012 when bombs were planted on a bi-cycle.

Investigations show that the first blast took place at 9.05 PM in a Salem bound bus. The bomb was planted under the seat.

The second bomb was also found under a seat of another bus. The second explosion was more powerful and the tin sheets of the bus were ripped apart.

Investigations:

The police during their investigations found a plastic container, wires and material used in the explosives. The same has been sent to the forensic sciences laboratory for examination.

The police say prima facie it appears to be similar to the blast that occurred last year.

Madurai has seen a series of such incidents. None of the investigations have however been conclusive in nature.

A bomb had exploded in the year 2011 when BJP leader L K Advani was scheduled to address a rally. The police had suspected the role of the al-Umma at that time.

S K Yadav, the police commissioner of Madurai city informed that investigations were still underway. He also informed that prima facie it appears as though timer devices were used to trigger the blasts.

It appears as though the blasts were timed for 11.30 PM and 12.30 AM. However, the bombs went off early, due to which no casualties were reported.

The driver and the conductor were sleeping on top of the bus when the incident occurred. Both the buses were scheduled to leave for their respective destinations at Salem and Hosur at 11.45 PM and 12.30 AM.

OneIndia News