Explosion while making bombs in South 24 Pgs, couple suffer injuries

An incident of a bomb explosion during suspected bomb-making activities has rocked West Bengal, this time in the Bakultala police station area of Joynagar, South 24 Parganas. Local sources report that a couple has been seriously injured in the blast. While the woman has been rescued and rushed to the hospital, her husband, also injured, managed to flee the scene, prompting a police manhunt.

The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon when a sudden, loud explosion shook Hanarbati, a locality under the Bakultala police station. As residents rushed to ascertain the source of the deafening sound, they discovered a woman, later identified as Mansura Sheikh, lying in a pool of blood inside a house. It was quickly learned that her husband, Kalam Sheikh, was also injured but had absconded immediately after the blast.

Mansura Sheikh, the injured woman, was initially rescued and taken to Nimpeeth Rural Hospital. Due to her critical condition, she was subsequently referred and transferred to Calcutta's Bangur Hospital for more specialized medical attention, highlighting the severity of her injuries sustained in the explosion.

Residents have vociferously alleged that bombs were being secretly manufactured in the house where the explosion occurred. While the police have stated that the exact cause of the explosion is not yet clear, their preliminary investigation also points towards the clandestine preparation of bombs. This initial assessment aligns with the suspicions raised by the community, indicating a potential illegal activity.

Following the incident, law enforcement has recovered several explosive materials from the site, further strengthening the suspicion of bomb-making activities. A bomb disposal squad has been dispatched to the scene to secure the area and safely handle any remaining explosives. The entire area has been cordoned off, and a thorough investigation has been launched to determine the full extent of the operation and those involved.