Four live crude bombs found in Patna's Gandhi Maidan, one explodes during disposal

The Bomb Disposal Squad at Gandhi Maidan on Sunday found four live crude bombs, of which one exploded during disposal, after Bharatiya Janata Party's Prime Ministerial aspirant Narendra Modi's rally here.

The Bomb Disposal Squad is presently disposing the remaining live bombs.

According to media reports, one person, who has admitted to the crime, has been arrested in connection with the serial low intensity blasts in Patna today.

The Centre has sent a team of National Investigation Agency (NIA) to Bihar to assist the Bihar Police in further investigations.

Earlier today, Minister of State for Home RPN Singh condemned the serial blasts in Patna, and assured the center's full support to the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government to probe into the incident.

"There were five blasts in Gandhi Maidan and 20 people were injured there. They were low intensity bomb blasts, it is extremely unfortunate, said Singh.

"We have assured the government in Bihar that we will provide all assistance in investigating the matter," he added.

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh also spoke to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and asked him to speedily investigate the blasts and punish the perpetrators responsible for the incident.

Dr. Singh condemned the blasts and appealed to the people to maintain peace and calm.

He also assured the Chief Minister of all central assistance in the investigations.

According to television reports, at least five people were killed and 20 injured when a series of blasts rocked Patna ahead of BJP's Hunkar rally on Sunday.

The first explosion took place at a platform in Patna railway station and another bomb that was found in a toilet was defused.

Reports also suggest that there were blasts near Elphinstone cinema and Twin Tower, both near Gandhi Maidan, the venue of BJP's rally.