BHAIRAHAWA: A powerful bomb exploded near the Gautam Buddha Airport in Bhairahawa in the wee hours of Thursday.

According to SP Buddhiraj Gurung of the District Police Office, Rupandehi, a group of unidentified persons planted the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on a bridge over the Dhagra Stream at around 2:30 am today. He furhter informed that the IED was wrapped in a tyre.

Fear has gripped the locals following the explosion that was heard over three to four kilometres.

Gurung said that the identities of the suspects are yet to be established and the reason behind the explosion is still unknown.

He, however, assumed that the unidentified persons might have detonated the bomb to unleash fear and terror among the locals.

Personnel from the Nepal Police and the Nepal Army reached the incident site soon after the explosion, police said.

No human casualties have been reported yet.