Bhubaneswar: A crude bomb exploded near Kendriya Vidyalaya No 3 in Bhubaneswar’s Gadakana locality on Friday morning.
According to sources, the incident took place at around 8 am when unidentified motorcycle-borne miscreants threw the explosive near the school’s gate. The device detonated shortly thereafter, but fortunately caused no injuries. The loud explosion, however, sparked panic as students had just arrived for the day’s classes.
While the gate and the boundary wall suffered damage under the impact of the explosion, iron nails and jute
ropes were found strewn on the road adjacent to it. The motive behind the attack, however, remains unclear.
Police from Mancheswar station, accompanied by a forensic team, immediately cordoned off the area and began an investigation. Cops have collected metal splinters, iron nails, and other remnants of the bomb and are examining nearby CCTV footage to identify the culprits.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Biswa Ranjan Senapati said CCTV footage is being examined to determine whether the explosive was deliberately detonated or went off accidentally while being transported. The scientific team is verifying whether the material involved was a crude bomb or a powerful firecracker, he added.
Railway police were also seen at the spot.
A three-member National Investigation Agency (NIA) also inspected the site and returned after conducting a preliminary probe, the sources added.
The school management is yet to issue a formal statement on the incident.