Janakpurdham, December 15

Dhanusha District Police Office has started investigating the bomb blast in which three persons were killed in Mahendranagar of Chhireswor Municipality, Dhanusha.

Province 2 Police Chief DIG Pradumnna Karki said police had narrowed down the probe and would reach conclusion as early as possible. “The probe is under way from multiple angles. So, we shall unearth the reason behind the blast at the earliest,” said DIG Karki.

Rajesh Sah, his son Anant and Police Inspector Amir Dahal were killed when a pressure cooker bomb planted at the second main gate of Rajesh’s house detonated on Friday night. Though police have launched investigation from multiple angles, they are yet to find the cause behind the explosion. Police believe they will get a tip-off after aggrieved family members recover from the shock.

Police have interrogated three leaders, including Dhanusha in-charge of Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal Lalita Mahara who is in police custody. “Preliminary investigation showed that the incident occurred due to personal animosity and financial transaction,” said a police officer involved in the probe, adding, “But, the investigation is under way from other angles as well.”

Deceased Rajesh’s family members have said the bomb went off due to negligence on the part of Inspector Dahal as he touched the bag with IED with a stick recklessly. Police, however, refuted the allegation saying that the bomb went off as it was a time bomb.

Chhireswor Municipality Mayor Yogendra Pajiyar said that health condition of deceased Rajesh’s father Bhikhari Sah, his youngest son Prakash Sah and daughter Anjali Sah was improving. All of them are being treated at Dharan-based BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences.

Rajesh and his son Anant’s bodies were cremated on the banks of Jalad River at Chhireswor Municipality, while Inspector Dahal’s body was cremated at Pashupati Aryaghat.

A public holiday was given  in the municipality today to mourn the deceased in the bomb blast. Market places and educational institutions also pulled down their shutters.

Province 2 Chief Minister Lalbabu Raut reached Sah’s house  today and pledged to provide expenses for treatment of the injured in the explosion.  CM Raut vowed to bring the guilty to book. “Police will investigate the incident and punish those guilty of the heinous crime,” he added.