Agra hospital blast: Search on now for veiled woman 'patient'

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Investigators probing the blast at a private hospital here that injured at least four people are now on the trail of a mysterious veil-clad woman 'patient', who did not turn up before doctors after depositing the fee at the reception counter, police sources said on Monday.

"The burqa-clad woman deposited Rs.200 fee at the reception counter just before the blast took place on Saturday evening. However, doctors at the hospital tell us that they did not examine any woman wearing a burqa," a senior district police official, who did not want to be named, said.

"We have learnt that the woman patient was accompanied by a man, who also deposited a separate fee at the reception counter. As the woman did not claim any fee refund, she is under our scanner," he added.

According to hospital sources, the receipt bearing serial number 2578 was filled against the fee paid by the woman, who identified herself as Neelam.

"We doubt that Neelam is her real name. Investigations are on to track her," the official said.

But even two days after the blast, police are yet to establish whether it had any terror link or was carried out following a business rivalry as there are several hospitals near the Jai Hospital, where the blast took place on Saturday evening.

The explosives used in the blast were that used in firecrackers so it did not appear to be a terror activity, Uttar Pradesh Special DGP Brij Lal said.

"Investigations reveal potassium chlorate, charcoal and sulphur, whose mixture is normally used in crackers, was used as the explosive. Cylindrical iron rods were used as the container for the explosive, that was tied with the crude IED," Lal said.

"With the nature of injuries caused, it appears the entire set-up was locally prepared. Six batteries of 9 volt each were used. They were connected in series with some filament placed in the explosive. The blast took place due to the heating effect in the filament. We have found no traces of a timer in the blast," the officer added.