A bomb went off outside Vice President Paramananda Jha’s residence at Gaurighat, Kathmandu, at around 7:30 Friday evening, injuring one person.

One Parwati Khatiwada, a resident of a house near the VP’s residence, received minor injury as the blast shattered the windowpanes of her room. She has been admitted to Om Hospital, Chabahil.

The blast caused no damage to the VP’s residence. Police said it was a socket bomb.

An armed outfit called Kirat Janabadi Workers Party has owned up responsibility for the blast, saying Jha was targetted for taking oath in Hindi.

Nobody has been arrested in connection with the blast, but massive search operation is underway in different parts of Kathmandu, a police official at the Gaushala police station said.

Security has been tightened in the surrounding areas following the blast.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has condemned the bomb attack.

In a press statement, PM Nepal said the bomb explosion was an attempt to create a sense of terror in the society. Expressing commitment to bring the culprits to justice, he urged all to cooperate in the government's effort to quash criminal elements. nepalnews.com