Patna, Jan. 24: Police today ascertained the identity of the woman who allegedly triggered a massive explosion in Ara civil court yesterday, killing herself and a constable while allowing two undertrials to escape.

'The deceased woman has been identified as one Reena Gaur of Balliah district in Uttar Pradesh, aged around 32. She had come to Ara from her native place on January 21. A team of Bhojpur police has been sent to Ara and the state police are also in touch with the police there. The woman's family has been contacted and they are on their way,' said a police officer, preferring anonymity.

The woman had entered the Ara civil court around 11.35am at a time when two undertrials, who were later identified as Lambu Sharma and Akhilesh Upadhayay, were being taken for a hearing from the prison lock-up.

Just then, a powerful explosion blew up the woman into pieces while killing constable Amit Kumar.

The undertrials took advantage of the melee that followed the blast and fled the custody of police accompanying them. Fifteen people were injured.

Inspector-general (Patna) A.K. Ambedkar confirmed that the woman's identity had been ascertained but her background was being checked.

'The woman was married and had a child. Her husband is deranged and she had a live-in relationship with Lambu Sharma. Prima facie, it appears that she had been persuaded by Lambu to come to Ara to execute the blast. However, it is not clear whether the bomb blew up by mistake or she did it deliberately,' said the senior officer.

Sources said the explosive was a crude bomb with round iron shrapnels.

'The police have detained a brother of Lambu, who used to work in the Ara collectorate as a computer operator earlier. He is being questioned. Attempts are on to nab the undertrial duo,' said another officer.

'The woman's family members are on their way to Ara. Things would clear up once the police talks to them in detail. Yesterday (Friday), we recovered her cellphone from the compound of the civil court too. Eyewitnesses had spotted the woman wearing an earphone while entering the court, which could imply that she was receiving instructions to execute the blast over the phone. Investigations in the case are in progress,' said another police officer,' added the officer.