12 Berhampore: Three persons were killed in a bomb blast on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday at a house in Murshidabad district's Khayertala village under Sagarpara police station, which is close to the India-Bangladesh border. Locals said two other persons were also injured and possibly escaped to a remote village to receive treatment from quacks, avoiding police vigilance.
Mustakin Seikh alias Mustakin Mondal (30) died on the spot, while houseowner Mamun Molla (24) and neighbour Sakirul Sarkar (26) were taken with bomb splinter injuries to Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital, where they died.
All three had injuries on their hands and upper parts of their bodies, leading police to suspect they were making bombs inside the house. The family members of Mamun, however, claimed bombs had been hurled.
The deafening blast caused the house to collapse. As locals crowded near the house, police cordoned off the spot.
Next-door neighbour Islam Seikh said: "I fell asleep around 9pm but was awakened by a thunderous sound around 12. The roof of the pucca house was demolished. All three youths who died are from my village. I am not clear about their business. Hands were blown off, even their faces were unrecognisable."
Another neighbour, Yarul, said the blast had left them rattled and afraid. "It's a police case. Let them investigate," he said.
Mamun's widow Banera Khatun said: "We got married recently. I am still in the dark about what my husband did. I went to my mother's house four days ago and learnt of the news there."
The BSF intelligence wing said vigilance shifted to the zero point from border-adjacent villages of Khayertala and Bamnabad border outpost (BOP) areas as well as other BOPs last week. This had caused smugglers to become active in stockpiling arms, ammunition and bombs.
A police officer said: "Some rope and a white powder have been recovered. The investigation is on."