BIRGUNJ, MARCH 2

A pressure cooker bomb exploded at Hulas Steel and Industries Pvt Ltd in Bindbasini Rural Municipality, Parsa, last night.

The blast at an under-construction factory building in Bahuarwabhatta of Bindbasini Rural Municipality shattered windows of one of the rooms and caused some damage to the walls. According to Parsa police Spokesperson and Information Officer DSP Om Prakash Khanal, police had reached the site after hearing a huge sound at about 10:00 pm.

Locals suspected that the improvised explosive device was planted by the outlawed Netra Bikram Chand-led group. According to sources, the underground outfit had sought Rs 1.5 million in donation from the industry operator a few days ago.

Locals said the underground outfit might have caused the blast after the industrialist refused to oblige and pay the donation amount sought.

Police, however, have refused to reveal anything about the incident citing ongoing investigation.

"As we're investigating the incident, we can't disclose everything now," said the DSP, adding, whether it was an explosion caused by an IED had not been confirmed yet.

A version of this article appears in the print on March 3, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.