A gang of unidentified criminals hurled bombs at a newly inaugurated garments shop in the busy Dariyapur locality of the city on Wednesday, leaving three persons, including two minor boys, seriously injured.

The three - Imtiyaz alias Chhotu, 25, Miraz, 14 and Riyal, 3 - have been admitted to the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) for treatment. The police, however, claimed the injured were out of danger. Riyal suffered injuries when he was standing near the shop.

Eye-witnesses told the police that at least three bombs were hurled at the shop - Ayan Fashion - around 10.30 am when the employees were about to start business for the day. The explosion was so powerful the traders ran for safety and downed shutters in a huff.

Though the immediate cause of blast could not be ascertained, residents said extortion was allegedly demanded from the shop owner a few days ago. The owner, Firoz, had reportedly reported the incident to the Pirbahore police, but no action was initiated against the culprits.

Emboldened by the police's callousness, the criminals hurled bombs at the showroom, which had opened only a week ago. On getting information, senior police officials, including city superintendent of police (central) D. Amarkesh, rushed to the spot and inquired about the incident.

Amarkesh later told The Telegraph the exact cause of the incident was yet to be ascertained. 'Prima facie, the incident appears to be fallout of old enmity,' he said, adding that raids were underway to nab the culprits. He, however, refused to share more details on the plea that it would hamper investigation.

Patna senior superintendent of police (SSP) Manu Maharaaj said the criminals involved in the daylight incident would not be spared. 'We have taken up the incident as a challenge and will nail the perpetrators of the crime,' he said, adding that the CCTV footage was being procured to ascertain the identity of the culprits.

Residents said a petty criminal, identified as Alam, alias Shetti, was killed in the same locality last month. He was facing charges of murder, loot and extortion. The assailants pumped 10 bullets into his body when he was playing cards.

'This is the second incident of crime in Dariyapur within a month. Panic has gripped the locality following the incident,' said Chandra Bhushan Mahto, a resident.

On September 16, blasts had rocked the Patna University campus. 'The law and order situation has deteriorated in Patna as incidents of loot, murder and extortion have become the order of the day,' said a 65-year-old teacher at Patna University.