Patna: Bomb found under dais from where Narendra Modi spoke? (Pics)

Updated: Sunday, October 27, 2013, 18:29 [IST]

Patna, Oct 27: Police reportedly discovered a bomb just under the platform from where BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi addressed a massive rally here on Sunday afternoon. Sources said security personnel had cordoned off the spot and investigation was on. One person was arrested and he was held key by authorities.

Five persons were killed in a series of low-intensity blasts that rocked the Bihar capital ahead of the high-profile rally of the BJP named the Hunkaar Rally. All the deceased were reportedly brought dead. Nearly 48 people were injured in the blasts that started from the Patna railway station at 11 am on Sunday.

A central investigative team rushed to Patna following the blasts and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh personally spoke to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and condemned the explosions. Kumar cancelled his Munger visit after the blasts. He was supposed to attend a two-day JD(U) convention in Nalanda district. He later met with top state officials and spoke over the law and order situation.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar cancelled his Munger trip as a result of the blasts

Congress leader Shakeel Ahmed said all agencies should come together to probe the blasts while party General Secretary Digvijay Singh said the blasts would throw a challenge to the JD(U) government in the state. Reports said there were seven blasts in all.

BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad, who also spkeon Sunday's rally, said his party has sought an inquiry. He said the rally was planned eight months ago and yet the authorities could not ensure full security.

Five killed

Serial blasts rocked Patna on Sunday, ahead of Narendra Modi's Hunkaar Rally, killing five persons and injuring several others.

At Patna

A massive crowd gathers to hear BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi in Patna on Sunday. Multiple blasts rocked Patna ahead of the rally.

At Hunkaar Rally, Patna

An injured being carried by a police personnel after serial bomb blasts took place at the venue of Narendra Modi's Hunkaar rally in Patna on Sunday

In Patna

Smoke rises after serial bomb blasts took place at the venue of Narendra Modi's Hunkaar rally in Patna on Sunday.

In Patna

Five persons were killed in a series of blasts in Patna, ahead of the BJP's HUnkaar Rally which was addressed by, among others, prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.