An improvised explosive device was detonated at the contact office of Nepal Communist Party candidate Bikram Chaudhary in Mahottari on Thursday evening.

According to Superintendent of Police Shyam Krishna Adhikari, a pressure cooker bomb was detonated on the premises of the contact office of NCP candidate Chaudhary, who is vying for the post of Pipara Rural Municipality chief in the upcoming by-elections. “Although there was a loud explosion, the office has only sustained minor damages. There were no human casualties,” Adhikari said. “Investigation is underway into the incident.”

The incident took place at a time when police claimed to have tightened security as the silent hour is being observed for the November 30 elections.

Meanwhile, security has been stepped up along the Nepal-India border point in view of the elections. However, security agencies are having a hard time managing the security in the region as thousands of devotees from across the border are entering Janakpur through Pipara to observe Bibaha Panchami festival, said police.