Six killed in Indian bridge bombing

Suspected separatist rebels blew up a bridge in north-east India today, killing six people who were travelling on a bus, police said.

Fifteen people were also injured by the blast, which came a day before the country celebrates its national independence day.

About 40 people were in the bus as it crossed Lilong Bridge, six miles south of Imphal, capital of Manipur state.

“The bomb was planted on the bridge. We think they may have used a remote controlled device,” police inspector N Sarat Singh said.

The powerful explosion ripped apart the front of the bus and left a four-foot deep crater in the road.

Three passengers died at the scene and three as they were being taken to hospital in Imphal.

Police and troops descended on the area following the blast and began hunting for the bombers.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the explosion.

At least 11 separatist groups have called for a strike during the celebrations marking India’s independence from Britain in 1947.

The rebels accuse New Delhi of exploiting the natural resources of the north-east region, which is rich in oil, minerals, tea and timber.

In a separate attack last night in Tripura state, suspected rebels opened fire on a crowded marketplace seven miles north of Agartala, the state capital, police said. Two people were killed and four were wounded.

The attacks are seen as part of the militants’ offensive against security forces in the run-up to the Independence Day celebrations. In past years, they have attacked vital installations including crude oil pipelines, trains, road and rail bridges, as well as federal troops.