At least nine people aboard a Bhopal-Ujjain passenger train were injured in a blast on Tuesday, reported ANI. The explosion took place near Shajapur in Madhya Pradesh around 10 am. Madhya Pradesh Inspector General (law and order) Makrand Devaskar later confirmed that the explosion was a terrorist attack, adding that three people have been arrested from Pipariya in connection with the blast.
The state government has announced a compensation of Rs 25,000 each for those injured in the incident and Rs 50,000 for critically injured passengers. Those injured have been admitted to Kalapipal government hospital.
The explosion on the Ujjain-bound train is believed to have taken place in the general compartment next to the guard’s coach, according to reports. Devaskar said the militants had planted an improvised explosive device.
Earlier, Public Relations Officer of the Bhopal division IA Siddiqui had told ANI that investigators had yet to ascertain what caused the explosion. However, the police have not ruled out the possibility of a bomb planted in a suitcase, reported News18. “There was a gunpowder odour,” Siddiqui said.
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