Eight persons, including three women, were injured when suspected Garo National Liberation Army militants today triggered a low-intensity IED blast at a busy market place in Tura town of Meghalaya's West Garo Hills district, police said.


The blast took place at around 10:55 am just outside the 'Mahabir Trade Agency', a shop at Tura bazaar, they said. Western Range Inspector-General of Police F D Sangma said, "Militants are behind the blast in which eight persons were injured, all of whom were admitted to the Civil Hospital. The area has been cordoned off." Low-intensity blast was probably aimed at creating fear among traders in the district who had been served with an extortion demand from the militants, said a police officer, who wished not to be identified. The IG, however, did not rule out involvement of the GNLA in the blast.