Wednesday, November 9 2005 14:44 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Imphal : At least 21 people were injured when a powerful bomb ripped through the crowded Khwairamband market at Manipur Capital Complex here yesterday (Nov 8, 2005) and minutes later security personnel killed a suspected militant allegedly involved in the blast.

Official sources said that the bomb, which was hidden in a shack at the busy Alu Gali area of the market complex, went off late in the afternoon.

As the biggest market complex in Manipur was sealed off immediately after the blast, security personnel intercepted three-motorcycle borne persons some 20 minutes later near the explosion site.

Instead of obeying them, the three suspected militants tried to speed off at which the security forces opened fire, killing one of them. The two others escaped.

The condition of a few of the injured was stated to be 'very serious' by the authorities of a local hospital.

No individual or group has so far claimed responsibility for the bomb explosion.