In a distressing incident, three men have been injured in a bomb attack in Sambalpur, Odisha on Tuesday. The attack occurred near Pirbaba Chowk within the city, under the jurisdiction of Sambalpur Town Police Station.
A local told, unknown miscreants attempted to target the mosque, but the bomb eventually hit a Bullet motorcycle, which was parked outside mosque, near the flyover at Pirbaba Chowk in Sambalpur. As a result, three men who were on the road were injured.
One of them sustained a major injury to his palm, the other on the stomach and knee. The Bullet motorcycle was also found to be damaged, as per the visuals assessed by TOP.
The three injured are currently receiving treatment at a local hospital. Among them, one has been identified as Kasim, and another as a rickshaw puller.
However, the official record indicates that only two individuals sustained minor injuries and are now out of danger.
“Two individuals sustained minor injuries. They are out of danger. Hand bombs were used in the explosion. The situation is now under control,” stated the SP.
Following the attack, tension has gipped the area, prompting the SP and IG to visit the scene. The officials have sealed off the area. Also, increased security checks have been deployed at all the entry and exit points, to prevent further unrest.
The reason behind the attack has not yet been determined.
A local resident from the area shared, “The Sadar mosque is situated under the flyover. After the Maghrib prayer, the bomb was thrown at the mosque’s minaret from beneath the flyover. The bomb landed outside the mosque’s courtyard, enclosed in a box with the words ‘sbp mafiya gang’ inscribed on top.”
Amid these developments, a local Congress leader, Asaf Ali Khan, shared that a rally was organized in Sambalpur town on Tuesday to herald the visit of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
This came shortly after the BJP announced Dharmendra Pradhan as the candidate from Odisha’s Sambalpur seat.
Khan claimed in his interview with the TOP that the attack is an attempt by BJP and BJD leaders to create a communally tense atmosphere for electoral gains.
Meanwhile, teams led by IG (Northern Range) Himansu Lal and Superintendent Mukesh Bhamu arrived on the scene quickly to begin investigating.
The officials confirmed, “An investigation is currently underway, and the culprits will soon be apprehended.”
