Bhubaneswar blast leaves 4 critically injured, bomb preparation suspected

A blast rocked the Sundarpada area of Bhubaneswar on Tuesday, leaving four people grievously injured, including a man and his daughter, who have sustained severe injuries. The explosion occurred at Azad Nagar under Airfield police limits of the Capital City.

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Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP)-Bhubaneswar said initial suspicion points towards a bomb-related incident, though the exact cause of the explosion is yet to be confirmed. Soon after the blast and on being informed by some locals, police and fire service personnel rushed to the spot and launched rescue and safety operations.

The injured were rescued and immediately shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment, while the area was cordoned off to prevent any further risk. Senior officials visited the site as part of the preliminary investigation.

Police said a detailed probe is underway to ascertain source of the explosion and whether any explosive material was being handled at the location.

“I visited the spot, and a scientific team is also carrying out an investigation at the spot. Criminal antecedents of the injured suggest that they were preparing bombs to conduct a crime when the blast occurred. Four persons have been injured in the incident,” the DCP Jagmohan Meena said.

“Four injured include Shahnawaz Malik, his mother, his female friend, and aide Amiya Ranjan Mallick. The injured are undergoing treatment. Key accused Shahnawaz is a history-sheeter and has several cases pending against him at Nayapalli, Maitri Vihar, and other police stations. He was involved in an attempt to murder and criminal cases related to explosives,” the senior cop expressed to mediapersons.