The deceased have been identified as Celestina Joseph, 14, a ninth grade
student of St Mary's school and a resident of Betia, India and Deepa
Patric, 30. The former died while being taken to the hospital and the
latter died while undergoing treatment.
14 others who were injured are undergoing treatment at Alka Hospital,
Jawalakhel and Patan Hospital. Situation of two is reported to be
critical.
The bomb went off at 9.15 am when as Saturday prayer was about to begin.
There were about 150 people in the church when the bomb went off, an
eyewitness who introduced himself as Gabriel told Nepalnews.
Police said it was a low-intensity IED hidden underneath the seat in the
prayer hall.
Father Bogati, chief of the Assumption Church has condemned the incident. Damodar Gautam of World Hindu Federation also condemned the blast saying attacks on religious shrines were unfortunate.
No one has officially owned up the blast. Involvement of Nepal Defense
Army is suspected as pamphlets suggested that the group carried out the
bomb attack.
The little-known Hindu extremist outfit has mentioned various demands in
the pamphlet including declaration of a Hindu nation, compulsory Sanskrit
education till middle school, and public holidays on Hindu festivals.
The same group is believed to have killed Father Joshn Prakash in Dharan
last year. nepalnews.com ta May 23 09
