Bomb blast in Kanpur, five injured

KANPUR: At least five people were injured in a minor explosion in Kanpur city of Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday evening, police said, adding that it was seemingly caused by crude bombs and not a terrorist attack.

The explosion took place outside a country liquor shop in Colonelganj locality of the city around 7 pm, police officials said.

"It seems that a man had purchased firecrackers ahead of the Diwali festival and he left his bag on his bicycle. Apparently, the firecrackers went off accidentally, injuring five people including three children," senior superintendent of police HR Sharma said.
 
However, senior police officials did not rule out some criminals being behind it.
 
"The bombs were crude and it appears that some criminal element was carrying them for some crime. However, no one received serious injuries besides minor bruises," additional director general of police (crime, law and order) Brijlal said.
 
"We are probing the incident and hope to nab the culprit soon," he added.

Senior police officials rushed to the spot and the injured were rushed to hospital, he said.