Kolkata, Sep 14 (IANS): An Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) was seriously injured after suspected miscreants hurled crude bombs at a police team conducting a raid on an illegal gambling den in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, police said on Monday.
Acting on a tip-off, a police team led by ASI Sadiq Ali from Salar police station raided the place late on Sunday night. According to police, the accused launched a bomb attack soon after spotting the police personnel, resulting in serious injuries to Sadiq Ali and minor injuries to several other officers.
Witnesses said the explosions shattered the silence of the night and triggered panic across the village. The attackers allegedly fled the spot after hurling multiple crude bombs at the police party in quick succession.
Upon receiving the news of a bomb attack, additional police forces were rushed to the area. The injured personnel were initially taken to Salar Rural Hospital. However, as Ali’s condition worsened, he was shifted to Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital, where he remains under treatment. Police sources described his condition as serious.
Tension has prevailed in the area since the incident. Policemen and personnel of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) have been deployed in and around Kharera village to maintain law and order.
No arrests have been made so far in this connection, although several suspects have been detained for questioning. Investigators are trying to identify those involved in the gambling operation and the bomb attack, as well as ascertain the source of the explosives allegedly used in the assault.
A senior officer of the Murshidabad Police District said CCTV footage from nearby locations is being examined to identify the attackers and trace their movements. “It is being investigated whether an organised gang was operating in the area and was behind the attack on the police team. The investigation is underway,” the officer said.
