JD-U leader's bodyguard killed in parcel bomb blast

The bodyguard of a Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader was killed on Tuesday in Bihar's Gaya district when a bomb - wrapped in a parcel - exploded at the politician's house, police said.

"A parcel bomb has exploded at the house of JD-U's Gaya district (rural) president Abhay Kushwaha. His body guard was killed and his relative was seriously injured," said Gaya Senior Superintendent of Police Manu Maharaj.

Kushwaha's brother-in-law, who was seriously injured, has been admitted to a hospital in Gaya, about 100 km from here.

Maharaj said police have begun investigation into who sent the parcel and are probing the courier company that delivered it.

"It is a matter of investigation," he said.

Additional Director General of Police Sunil Kumar told media here that preliminary investigations have ruled out Maoists' hand in it.

"So far, it appears that Maoists were not involved in it," he said. - IANS