A powerful explosion occurred outside Madhyamgram High School in North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, close to the state’s border with Bangladesh, at around 12:57am on Monday, August 18, 2025. The blast killed a man later identified as Sachchidanand Mishra from Uttar Pradesh, who was carrying a bag suspected to contain explosives. Mishra suffered serious injuries and was rushed to Barasat Medical College and then to a Kolkata hospital, where he died hours later. Forensic teams and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) are investigating the circumstances and motive, having recovered bag fragments, wiring, identity documents, and CCTV footage. Police are also questioning a local businessman who interacted with Mishra before the incident. The incident has heightened concerns over security in Bengal’s sensitive regions bordering Bangladesh, with calls for strengthened vigilance around public institutions, especially schools, as authorities await forensic confirmations to determine if the explosion was linked to a broader plot or criminal activity.