Five killed, 3 injured in explosion during making of bombs in Kerala

Five persons were killed and three others were injured when country bombs being illegally manufactured exploded in Nadapuram near Kozhikode, police said today.

Three persons died on the spot last night while two others succumbed to injuries at a hospital this morning, they said.

The explosion occurred at an uninhabitated plot at Narikkattiri in Nadapuram, they said.

Three injured persons were undergoing treatment at different hospitals where the condition of two of them was stated to be serious, police said.

The deceased had been identified as Riyaz, Shamir, Shabir, Shabil and Rafeeq, hailing from Nadapuram region. All the victims were involved in manufacturing the bombs when the explosion occurred.

Top police officials visited the explosion site and widespread raids had been launched in surrounding areas in the wake of the incident, police said.

Nadapuram and surrounding areas have been witnessing an uneasy calm amid continuing political tension between IUML and CPI(M) workers since the violent clashes during the local bodies elections in October last year and post-poll incidents.

Of the 15 cases registered in Nadapuram police station in connection with the violence in recent times, eight related to bomb throwing attacks, police said.

On February 20, police recovered nine steel bombs, concealed in a bucket, at Chelakkad in Nadapuram.