Biratnagar, March 25

An improvised explosive device went off when the vehicle carrying Province 1 Minister for Social Development Jeeevan Ghimire was heading towards Pathari-Sanischare from Biratnagar this morning.

The minister was heading to Urlabari Municipality to attend a programme. The bomb exploded at a distance of 200 metres when Minister Ghimire reached Pathari-Sanischare at 7:30am.

Personal Secretary of the minister Sushant Sharma said the vehicle carrying Ghimire was halted on the road for some time when the bomb exploded.

SP Arun Kumar BC at District Police Office, Morang, said two motorbike-borne persons had thrown a bag which had exploded a few minutes later. The two fled to the forest after they threw the bag. SP BC dismissed the rumours that the bomb targeted the minister.

Improvised explosive devices were found at three places — Sunjhoda of Urlabari Municipality-3,  Hariyali Forest of Pathari-Sanischare-2, and Pathari-Saniscahre-1 — today. A bomb disposal team from the Nepali Army defused the bombs.

Police arrested a person on suspicion of his involvement in the attack. A manhunt to nab the culprits is on, said SP BC.

Netra Bikram Chand-led Nepal Communist Party had enforced Koshi Zone closure today, demanding the release of its cadres. It is reported that bandh enforcers had planted the bombs at three places to intimidate Minister Ghimire.