A bomb explosion in eastern India has killed seven people and severely wounded six others amid growing Maoist-related insurgency in the region. The Sunday blast was allegedly caused by a bomb planted by Maoists in the eastern state of Bihar on Saturday, officials say.
While security forces had detected the bomb, they had only cordoned off the area without attempting to defuse the bomb.
“The blast took place when curious villagers gathered to inspect the bomb,” AFP quoted a senior police officer as saying.
“It is not certain what triggered the explosion.”
According to non-governmental organizations, more than one thousand people have been killed by Maoist-related violence so far this year.
Maoist rebels are active in over 200 of the India’s 626 districts. Bihar is one of the several states in the east and central India where Maoists groups are active.
The rebels, who are supported by tribal groups and landless farmers, have fought against state and central government for many years. Over 6,000 people have died in Maoist-related clashes over the past three decades.
India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh says the Maoists are the gravest threat to the country’s internal security.
Source: Press TV