5 killed, 12 injured in east India blast

At least five people, including an infant, were killed and 12 others injured Saturday in a powerful explosion in northeastern Indian state Assam's main city of Guwahati, according to Indo-Asian News Service.

A police spokesman said the blast took place at a crowded market place around 7:50 a.m. (0230 GMT) Saturday.

"The bomb was probably strapped to a bicycle and kept near the entrance of the market. The blast was of a very high magnitude killing five people on the spot. The dead include an infant about six to seven months old," the spokesman said.

He said at least 12 people were injured in the explosion.

"The condition of at least four of the injured is critical with the victims receiving multiple wounds in their chest, face and abdomen," a doctor at the Guwahati hospital said.

Police blamed the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), a militant group fighting for independence for the blast.

In the past three months, the ULFA has carried out at least 24 bomb explosions in Assam killing about 20 people and wounding many more.

Source: Xinhua