NAWALPARASI: At least five canvassers, including a minor, of the CPN Maoist Centre and a bus driver have been injured when a bus they were travelling on has been hit by a explosion at Sunwal-3 of Nawalparsi district on Sunday.

The injured have been identified as Nara Bahadur BK, the driver of the bus; Mina Chaudhary (44); Shrikanta Rewat (14); Phool Kumari Kadariya (46); Homanarayan Chaudhary and Belkumari Kadariya (45), informed Head Constable Rudra Sapkota, at Area Police Office, Sunwal.

The  bus (Lu 1 KHA 6773) was ferrying the canvassers for a mass gathering at Chaura Chok in the district when the bomb went off at Naduwa Somnath Baba Bridge along the East West Highway Section this afternoon.

The explosion shattered the windowpanes of the bus injuring the canvassers.

Meanwhile, the victims are undergoing treatment at the Butwal –based Lumbini Zonal Hospital in Rupandehi district.

One of the injured Belkumari Kadariya, who has sustained serious injury to her head, is in a critical condition.

The Maoist Centre has organised an election rally today aimed for the June 28 local polls before the silent period comes into effect from midnight today self.

So far, nobody has claimed the responsibility for the attack and police are investigating into the case.