The explosion at Sukedhara and Ghattekulo on Sunday was not due to cylinder bombs but improvised explosive devices using pressure cookers.
"It was first reported that a cylinder bomb was used in Sukedhara. But it was an improvised pressure cooker," an investigation officer with the Metropolitan Police Crime Division told Setopati. It was an improvised pressure cooker even in Ghattekulo, according to the officer.
Jeev Kumar Thakur, 54, of Mahottari, cadres of CPN led by Netra Bikram Chand Mahabir and Dipendra (surnames of both unknown), chairman of the party's Newa liberation front Surendra Maharjan, 54, Hari Khadka also of the party, and another person whose identity has yet to be known were assembling bombs at the kitchen of Thakur's salon in Sukedhara.
Three were killed as the bombs exploded while assembling, according to the police officer.
"They apparently wanted to plant the bombs elsewhere after assembling them," the officer stated. "The injured persons are not in a state to speak. What their plan was, therefore, has yet to be known."
He pointed that it was initially estimated to be cylinder bomb as the kitchen was destroyed by the explosion. "But both the gas cylinders in the kitchen were undamaged even after the explosion," he added.
Chief at the division SSP Sahakul Thapa said the police are conducting detailed investigations. "There are guesses that it may have been a time bomb. But we have not yet recovered any equipment to prove that," SSP Thapa revealed.
The two persons killed in Sukedhara have been identified as Mahabir and Dipendra but the third has yet to be identified. "Faces of the bodies have been damaged beyond recognition and the injured persons are not in a state to speak," Thapa pointed.
He revealed that salon owner Thakur, Maharjan and Khadka are currently undergoing treatment.
Police say the explosion at Ghattekulo was also due to an improvised pressure cooker. Central member of the student union affiliated to Chand-led CPN Prajwal Shahi was killed in the explosion while Rabin KC of Sani Bheri, Rukum was seriously injured in the explosion.
A remote control has also been recovered from the room in Ghattekulo.
Four pressure cookers and detonators were also recovered from the seven Chand cadres arrested from Narephant Sunday evening.
