Three minor girls were killed today and another injured when a crude bomb planted
atop a tree exploded in a village in Dumka district, police said.
    
The blast occured in Kendpahari village when the girls, out of curiosity, brought down the "object" kept in the tree hollow and tried to tear it open, superintendent of police Arun Kumar Singh said here.
    
Kolammati Marandi (10) and Niru Tudu died on the spot while Sonamati Tudu (6) succumbed to injuries at a local hospital, he said, adding eight-year-old Savitri is battling for life in the hospital.
    
The girls had gone to feed cattle at a pasture in the village when they noticed the bomb. Police have launched raids to identify the culprits who had put the bomb in the hollow of the tree.