Three persons died and three others were injured as an explosion occurred while they were allegedly making crude bombs at a village in Malda on Sunday.

Police have initiated a probe and have arrested four persons. They are in search of some others suspected to be involved in illegal bomb making in the village.

Early on Sunday, the blast occurred at a ground in the Chandipur area of Gopalpur, under Manikchak police station of the district. Six persons were making crude bombs. Of them, Farzan Ali, 45, and Safikul Islam, 30, died instantly.

Residents rushed three others to a private nursing home in Gabgachi of Jadupur and another person to the Malda Medical College & Hospital (MMCH). On Sunday night, Soleman Ali, 25, who was admitted to the nursing home, died of his injuries.

Currently, among the remaining three, Salim Sheikh and Khabiruddin Sheikh are at the nursing home and Hajibul Sheikh is at the MMCH.

A police team initiated a search and engaged a sniffer dog. Items used to make crude bombs were found at the spot.

Police during the course of their investigations have found some more people involved making of illegal crude bombs.

Raids were conducted and four persons were arrested on Sunday night. They are Toukir Alam, Ashraul Sheikh, Mafizul Sheikh and Kalu Sheikh of Gopalpur village.

“Some people are arrested. Our officers are gathering information,” said Pradeep Kumar Yadav, SP, Malda.

The BJP has alleged that the deceased and the injured are Trinamul supporters. “Those arrested are also Trinamul supporters. There is clear evidence that they were making crude bombs. We want a thorough probe” said Gourchandra Mandal, general secretary of Malda south (organisational) district of the BJP.

Sabitri Mitra, the Trinamul MLA of Manikchak, ruled out any political angle. “The police are probing the case. Our party is against such illegal activities,” she said.