An unidentified group hurled petrol bombs at the house belonging to Bhumeswor Dhakal, chief whip of Province 5 of ruling Nepal Communist Party, in Rupandehi on Friday morning.

The group hurled four petrol bombs at Dhakal's house located at Sainamaina-7, Ramapur at around 2 am, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police Bhim Lal Bhattarai. Dhakal's parents and spouse were sleeping in their house when the blast took place.

The explosion caused only minor damage to the house and vehicle belonging to Dhakal (Lu 1 Ja 456).

Nobody has claimed responsibility for the blast so far but local residents have said they suspect the involvement of cadres of the banned Netra Bikram Chand-led outfit. "We have launched an investigation into the incident," Bhattarai said.

Chief whip Dhakal is currently in Kathmandu for his health check-up.