Two scribes, SP among 5 killed in accidental blast

Besides the SP, Dainik Janambhumi journalist Jiten Chutia, Amar Asom journalist Sajjad Ahmed, office peon Dulal Neog and an Army lieutenant Nashi were killed as the powerful bomb destroyed the chamber.

Giving details, district additional SP Bijoy Kouli-Gam told The Indian Express from Sibsagar over the telephone that Lohia had just concluded the press conference following an operation against the ULFA carried out in village Kaktibari, 25 km away, when the blast took place.

8220;While the reporters were coming out of the chamber, the office building was rocked with the deafening sound of the blast. As we rushed into the smoke-filled room, the SP and the four others were lying on the floor,8221; Kouli-Gam said.

The Sibsagar police had in the morning carried out a successful operation against ULFA rebels at Kaktibari in which dreaded militant Jugal Phukan was killed. The police had recovered some bombs, arms, ammunition and several incriminating documents.

Lohia, who joined as SP, Sibsagar, a year ago was earlier SP Security to Assam Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta.