Imphal, Dec 15: A powerful bomb was detonated in Imphal East District of Manipur though none was hurt in the explosion as it occurred early in the morning on Wednesday, police said.

Police said that an explosion took place in front of a medicine shop at Khurai Tinseed road in Imphal East District.

No outfit has yet claimed responsibility for the blast.

Police said the explosion was so massive that the iron shutter of the shop was blown several metres away and partially damaged the nearby shops.

The detonation triggered a raging fire which burned the medicines, furniture and other items in the shop.

The security forces have launched a search operation to nab the perpetrators.

On November 18, a similar powerful bomb was detonated at Kairang, a Muslim dominated area, in the same Imphal East District though none was hurt in the explosion.

Security forces including Army and paramilitary Assam Rifles are on high alert in Manipur after the series of incidents specially after November 13 terror attack in which an Assam Rifles Colonel Viplav Tripathi and four jawans of the paramilitary force were gunned down in Churachandpur district bordering Myanmar. Colonel Tripathi’s wife and their 9-year-old son were also killed in the attack.

Months ahead of the Assembly elections in Manipur, militant activities have increased in the North Eastern state with the authorities having asked the security forces to intensify vigil in the sensitive, mixed populated and vulnerable areas.

Elections to the 60-seat Manipur Assembly are likely to be held in February-March next year along with Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa.