Eight killed in Manipur blast

At least eight people were killed and 13 others injured in a powerful bomb blast Friday in Manipur's Imphal West district, police said.

A police spokesperson said the blast took place around 7.45 p.m. at the busy Nagamapal area on the outskirts of Imphal West.

"The bomb was probably planted in a shop and was of high intensity," Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) L. Kailun told IANS.

"So far, eight people were killed and 13 others injured. The injured were shifted to local hospitals with multiple wounds."

He said most of the victims were people from outside the state

No militant group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.

"We are yet to identify the group responsible for the blast," he said.

Top police officials who visited the blast site suspected the involvement of local rebels groups.

Earlier, troopers of the Assam Rifles patrolling along the Ukhrul-Imphal road in Imphal East district made a narrow escape when a powerful improvised explosive device (IED), planted on the roadside, exploded.

The incident occurred at around 10.30 a.m. near Khurai Popular High School at Khurai Thongam leikai in Imphal East district.

An auto-rickshaw driver was injured in the incident.

The outlawed Peoples Liberation Army (PLA), an armed wing of Revolutionary Peoples Front (RPF) had claimed responsibility for the morning blast.

There are an estimated 19 militant group active in Manipur, bordering Myanmar, with demands ranging from secession to greater autonomy.