Jajpur: Two persons were killed after a crude bomb exploded near NH 16 in Chhattia under Bairi Police station, around 2 kms away from Chhattia Bata Jagannath temple in Jajpur on Tuesday afternoon.
Another man sustained serious burn injuries in the explosion. He was shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for treatment.
Police, upon being informed, rushed to the spot and seized the body after sealing the road from both sides. The reason behind the blast is yet to be ascertained. Police have started a preliminary investigation, engaging a scientific team.
Jajpur SP and SDPO reached the spot and conducted an investigation. Meanwhile, a platoon of force has been deployed there to maintain law and order, and the entire area has been sealed. The deceased are believed to be fishermen by profession.
It is suspected that while they were going to fish with explosives on a bike, the incident occurred. Three people were at a local liquor shop in Chhatia and consumed alcohol. The deceased have been identified as Ram Pingua of Deulkula, Munda Sahir, of the local Badachana police station, and Mantu Patra of Chandithal village of the same police station. The injured has been identified as Nepali Purti of the village.
Some eyewitnesses said that they rushed to the explosion spot after hearing the loud sound and found the two persons’ burnt and mutilated bodies on the road. A motorcycle was also completely destroyed in the incident.
Some eyewitnesses claimed that the bombs were inside the motorcycle’s dickey. However, the police remained silent on the matter, stating that the motive and circumstances surrounding the incident can be determined only after an investigation.
Jajpur SP Yash Pratap Shrimal said, “We have collected samples from the spot and sent them to the State Forensic Laboratory. Further investigation is underway to find out the exact cause of the explosion and the circumstances that led to the incident. Primary investigation revealed that two persons on the bike were killed after the explosion, while another person who was walking to a nearby shop sustained injuries. We have sent him to SCB Medical College and Hospital.”
