Blast in Haryana bus; two injured

Two persons were injured in an explosion in a private bus in Haryana's Fatehabad district on Tuesday, police said.

In the incident, Bhagirath, 45, and his wife, Rajbala, 40, suffered minor burn injuries.

"The two are out of danger and are being treated in Civil Hospital, Fatehabad," the Hisar range Inspector General (IG) O.P. Singh said in his report to the state government.

Senior police officers along with a bomb disposal squad and crime scene team reached the spot and were investigating the incident, O.P. Singh said.

The bus was plying on the Bhuna-Fatehabad Road while on its way from Jakhal to Fatehabad. The incident took place about 20 km from Fatehabad.

Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Muhammad Akil said the explosive device was placed in a black bag.

"Preliminary examination has revealed use of sulphur-like substance, commonly used in crackers," Akil said.

This is the fourth incident of explosion in Haryana this year.

Two of the incidents happened in Panipat district on January 16 and May 13 and one in Pipli in Kurukshetra district on May 26.

The Pipli blast took place in a moving Haryana Roadways bus, leaving eight people injured. IED technology was used to trigger the blast which remained a low-intensity one.

Following the latest incident, Haryana Transport Minister Krishan Lal Panwar said CCTV cameras will be installed in all Haryana Roadways buses and directions have also been issued to private bus operators to install such cameras.

The minister directed drivers and conductors of state roadways and private buses to remain alert.

--IANS

js/kb/dg