Imphal blast kills 15

Imphal, Oct 21 (IANS) At least 15 people were killed and 18 injured in a massive bomb explosion in this Manipur capital Tuesday evening, two days after a blast near the chief minister's official residence here, police said.

'A bomb kept on a moped went off around 8 p.m.,' Imphal Superintendent of Police Radheshyam told IANS.

While 11 people were killed on the spot, four succumbed to their injuries in a hospital, he said.

The blast took place close to a Manipur Police commando complex, which is a residential area.

'We are not yet sure if any of the police commandos are among those killed or injured,' Radheshyam said.

The injured have been rushed to various hospitals in the city.

This is by far the biggest bomb attack in Manipur's capital, a heavily guarded city that has seen frequent bomb or grenade attacks.

On Sunday, a bomb exploded close to Chief Minister Ibobi Singh's heavily fortified residence but there were no casualties.

A caller claiming to be a member of the People's Revolutionary Party of Kamgleipak (PREPAK), a separatist group, said the outfit was behind Sunday's blast.

No one has claimed responsibility yet for Tuesday's deadly attack that has sparked panic in the city.