Indian killed, another injured in Bahrain blasts

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An Indian man was killed and another injured as five explosions rocked parts of Bahrain's capital Manama today, also claiming the life of another Asian, as the country grappled with growing political and ethnic unrest.

The blasts, including one near the Indian embassy, were described by Bahrain's Prime Minister as a "heinous" crime while the country's top police official said they were "acts of terror".
India's ambassador to Bahrain Mohan Kumar confirmed to PTI that one of the victims was an Indian who died when he accidentally stepped on an explosive device.

Another Indian, a municipal collector, was also injured during one of the explosions.

"At five different locations home-made IEDs went off in Bahrain this morning.

Unfortunately, an Indian national named Murugayya was one of those killed. One of these blasts took place near the embassy," Kumar said.

He said the Indian officials were awaiting further details related to the incident.
According to the ambassador, Murugayya and his brother were walking down the road when he accidentally stepped on to one of these devices.

"Another Indian, who was working as municipal collector touched a similar device on course of duty and his palms are badly damaged," the ambassador said, condemning the blasts that shook the country.

"We have also expressed hope and confidence that all Indians in Bahrain will be provided security," Kumar said.

Reports reaching here said the second man who died was a Bangladeshi, though there was no official confirmation about this.

Bahrain's Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, condemned the blasts and said the culprits who have perpetuated these "heinous crimes" will not be allowed to escape justice, according to Bahran News Agency.

The Prime Minister directed security officials to intensify search and investigation operations to expedite the arrest of the culprits.

Indians constitute the largest of the expatriate workforce in Bahrain. Out of nearly 517,000 expatriates, nearly 290,000 are Indian nationals.

Bahrain is in the grip of political and ethnic unrest, ever since protests started in February 2011 to push for greater democracy and more representation to the majority Shia community in the Sunni-ruled country.

At least 60 people, including several police officers, have been killed, since the mass demonstrations began at the peak of the Arab Spring and the opposition activists have alleged widespread abuse and repression.

Last week, the interior ministry announced a ban on all rallies and public gatherings in the country, further exacerbating the discontent.

The capital Manama was this morning shaken by a series of explosions in Qudhaibiya -- a residential and commercial area, and in Adliya, a posh locality.

The top police official said earlier that while the first man died on the spot, the second was died in hospital.

"The public prosecution has been informed about the acts of terror and a search for the criminals has been launched," said the police official.

"We urge all nationals and expatriates to keep away from suspicious objects for their own safety and to call the police," he said.

Last month, a security officer was killed in a bomb explosion in a village.