by Kalpit Parajuli

For the authorities, this is the worst attack since 2009. The bomb explodes near the Nepali Oil Corporation headquarters. A small terrorist group fighting for the rights of indigenous minorities claims responsibility.

Kathmandu (AsiaNews) - A powerful bomb exploded at the main gate of the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), some 300 metres from the Singha Durbar, the official seat of Nepal's government, killing three people and wounding seven. According to police, this is the worse attack of its kind in four year after the attack against Kathmandu's Catholic cathedral in March 2009.

The Samyukta Jatiya Mukti Morcha-Bishwokranti (SJMM), a small Hindu terrorist group fighting for the rights of the poor and indigenous groups, has claimed responsibility.

In a statement sent to local media, it said that the action was meant to slam higher fuel prices and denounce the government for its corruption.

Experts believe the SJMM wants to gain the sympathy of the poorest in the Nepali population in order to discredit the Maoists, historical defenders of minorities under the Hindu monarchy.

Little is known of the group. It first appeared on 11 October 2011 with an attack against a phone company bus in Dadhing.

That attack also wounded seven people.

 

• nepal
• terrorist
• attack
• kathmandu
• oil
• fuel
• prices