Four students of a government middle school in Patna City suffered injuries when a crude bomb exploded on the school premises on Saturday.

The injured - Arman, Faizan, Zishan and Adil - were rushed to the local primary health centre from where they were later referred to the Patna Medical College and Hospital.

Police said the incident took place around 8.30am when the children came in contact of the bombs hidden in the premises of Marwari Colony Urdu Middle School. The blast triggered panic among the students, who ran helter-skelter for security cover.

A police officer posted at the Khajekalan police station, under which the school falls said the bomb was hidden by some criminals. "Efforts are on to ascertain the identity of the criminals," said the officer.

Patna senior superintendent of police (SSP) Manu Maharaaj said he has directed the station house officer (SHO) of Khajelakan police station to treat the case on a priority basis as it involved minor students.

Police said the bomb was hidden on the top floor of the building. The parents of the students rushed to the spot and admitted the injured to the local hospital. "The lives of the children is at risk. We will not send our wards to school till the criminals are arrested," said Ratnakar Kumar, a resident of Khajekalan locality.

Driver attacked

A driver Ganesh Mandal, 30, was allegedly attacked and almost blinded for allegedly scaring a cow by honking horn on the national highway in Saharsa district, police said on Saturday.

The victim, said to be a resident of Bhagalpur, has been admitted to Saharsa sadar hospital for treatment. Doctors attending on Mandal said he has almost lost his vision in his left eye as a hard blunt substance was inserted into it.