West Bengal violence: Bomb attack in Panihati injures five BJP workers hours after Suvendu Adhikari close aide’s murder
At least five BJP workers were injured in a bomb attack in Panihati, West Bengal, hours after the killing of a close aide of Suvendu Adhikari. Police have launched an investigation
PTC Web Desk: Tension gripped parts of West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district after a crude bomb attack in Panihati left at least five BJP workers injured late Wednesday evening, the police said on Thursday. The incident occurred just hours after the fatal shooting of a close aide of senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari.
According to police officials, unidentified assailants hurled country-made bombs at a group of BJP workers near St Xavier’s Institute in Panihati. The victims sustained injuries in the explosion and were immediately rushed to RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata for treatment. Their condition is reported to be stable.
Preliminary information suggests that the BJP workers were interacting with local residents in Ward No. 2 along Dutta Road when a group of motorcycle-borne attackers approached and allegedly targeted them before fleeing the scene. The sudden attack triggered panic in the locality, prompting swift deployment of additional police forces.
The incident comes in the wake of the killing of Chandranath Rath, a close aide of Suvendu Adhikari, who was shot dead by unidentified assailants earlier the same night. Investigators are examining whether the two incidents are linked, though no official confirmation has been made so far.
The BJP has accused supporters of the ruling TMC of being behind the attack, alleging a pattern of targeted political violence. However, the TMC has strongly denied the allegations, calling them “baseless and politically motivated.”
A senior police officer stated that an investigation is underway and efforts are being made to identify the attackers through CCTV footage collected from nearby areas. “We have initiated raids to apprehend those involved. Security has been tightened and strict vigil is being maintained to prevent any further escalation,” the officer said.
Notably, the site of the explosion is located close to the residence of a recent BJP MLA Ratna Debnath and the mother of a rape victim associated with RG Kar Hospital.