Five civilians critically injured in explosion in Kaski In yet another tragic incident involving the Maoists, five people were critically injured when explosive left behind by the rebels went off in Sardikhola VDC-1 of the western district of Kaski Tuesday afternoon. Ram Chandra BK, one of the five persons injured in a blast in Sardikhola VDC, Kaski district, being taken to the emergency ward of Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, on Tuesday, Oct 24, 06. Photo curtsey: Sudarshan Ranjit Journalist Sudarshan Ranjit who visited the explosion site at Bajhakhet area told Nepalnews that the blast occurred inside a house at around 12:00 this afternoon. All those injured in the blast were local residents. One Ram Chandra BK lost both of his legs in the blast while four others identified as Khagraj Gautam, Bishnu Gautam, Yam Gautam and Bharat Gautam sustained serious injuries below their waists. A two-storey house belonging to Keshav Gautam was destroyed in the blast. It is not known how the explosion occurred. The injured persons have been undergoing treatment at the Manipal Teaching Hospital in Pokhara. Ranjit said quoting Maoist district secretary, Karan who visited the hospital to see the victims, assured that the Maoist party would bear the cost of treatment of all the injured persons. Despite calls from national and international human rights groups and civil society organisations, the rebels continue to engage in abductions and extortion around the country—in violation of the ceasefire code of conduct signed with the SPA government. Several ‘accidental’ explosions had occurred in previous weeks also, resulting in civilian casualties. nepalnews.com mk Oct 24 06