Cop killed while defusing bomb

The bomb is suspected to have been planted by the Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO),a north Bengal-based outfit,which has engineered such attacks in recent weeks as well .

According to the police,a night watchman noticed a bag strapped to an abandoned bicycle at an Alipurduar market late Wednesday and informed the police.

Sniffer dogs were pressed into action early Thursday and after it was confirmed that the bag contained explosives,the CID’s bomb disposal squad took the cycle to an adjacent vacant field.

As constable Lohar,a member of the squad,knelt to disconnect some wires protruding from the bag,it went off,killing him on the spot,a senior police officer said.

He said the explosive,fitted with a timer device,was of low intensity and its splinters could be fatal if someone was in its proximity.

The KLO had warned of such activities in support of a separate Kamtapur state to be carved out of north Bengal and comprising several lower Assam districts.

RECENT ATTACKS

AUGUST 28: An identical cycle bomb exploded in Bongaigaon in Assam. The bomb was suspected to be planted by the KLO to mark its foundation day on August 28.

AUGUST 18: A blast was triggered on a bus plying from Assam to Coochbehar. An explosive with a timer device,placed on the bus’s rear seat by suspected KLO activists,exploded when the vehicle was entering West Bengal from Assam. About 18 people were injured.