Crude bomb explodes at Patna University, police launch probe

Patna: Panic briefly swept through Patna University on Saturday after an unidentified person allegedly hurled a crude “sutli” bomb into the campus from the double-decker bridge on Ashok Rajpath during Teachers’ Day celebrations.

According to preliminary information, the explosive landed in the area between the Geography and Psychology departments, producing a loud blast and smoke that alarmed students and staff. No casualties were reported.

Pirbahore police reached the spot soon after receiving information and called in a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team to examine the site and collect evidence. The forensic team secured the area and began its investigation, while police started reviewing CCTV footage from the vicinity, including cameras covering the double-decker bridge, to identify the person responsible.

Pirbahore police station Station House Officer Rajkumar Singh said the incident occurred between 12.08 p.m. and 12.10 p.m., with police arriving immediately after the blast and initiating necessary action. He said the investigation was ongoing and further steps would be taken based on the evidence collected.

Town DSP Rajesh Ranjan said an explosion was reported on the Geography department campus around 12.15 p.m., adding that police suspected a dispute between two factions could be behind the incident, though the motive had not yet been established. An FIR has been registered against unidentified persons.

The incident has renewed concerns about security arrangements on the Patna University campus, where similar explosions have been reported in the past, including around periods of university elections. Police said they were continuing their probe to identify those responsible and establish the circumstances surrounding the blast.

(Inputs from IANS)