The low-intensity bomb blast at Bengaluru’s Rameshwaram cafe on Friday, which injured 10 people, was carried out by triggering an improvised explosive device (IED) using a timer, police sources said as the probe under anti-terror law progresses.
Cops recovered the timer and other parts of the IED from the blast spot in the Whitefield area, and officials said efforts are underway to trace the accused, who was seen in the CCTV viusual placing a bag in the cafe just before the blast.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who confirmed it was a bomb blast, assured a proper investigation into the incident and urged opposition parties not to play politics over it.
RAMESHWARAM CAFE BLAST | LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, in a detailed statement, announced that the investigation is underway to ascertain the cause and nature of the explosion at the popular cafe, which injured 10 people between 12:50 pm and 1 pm on Friday. He urged opposition parties that the incident should not be politicised and everyone should cooperate.
The police identified a supspect from the CCTV footage. A young man of about 28-30 years came to the cafe, purchased Rava idli at the counter, placed the bag near a tree (adjacent to the cafe) and left. After one hour the blast took place, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said.
The Central Crime Branch (CCB) has taken up the investigation and case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Explosive Substances Act. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is also probing the incident along with Bengaluru Police. Seven to eight teams have been formed, and senior officials said that the key priority is to find the culprit at the earliest.
A CCTV video of the incident showed an explosion, leading to smoke and panic-stricken customers and others fleeing the place. While it was initially suspected that a gas leak could have triggered the blast, the Fire department later ruled out the possibility and said a bag was found at the spot.
Owners of the Rameshwaram Cafe issued a statement saying that they are cooperating with authorities and officials in their investigation and added that they are “deeply saddened by the unfortunate incident at our Brookefield branch.”
DK Shivakumar and Home Minister G Parameshwara visited the blast site and also met those injured at the hospital. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot and state BJP president Vijayendra Yeddyurappa, also visited the injured people.
The opposition BJP sought a detailed probe into the matter. BJP state president B Y Vijayendra demanded a detailed inquiry and said, “Callousness of the government in downplaying such crimes is pushing the state into this chaos & proving to be a safe haven for antisocial elements… Failure of police intelligence is also evident in this incident….”
State police chief Alok Mohan, who described the explosion as a “bomb blast”, said that further details will be available once the forensic lab report comes out.
The cafe which is located at Whitefield’s Brookfield area, a vibrant neighborhood, a business centre as well as a tech hub. It is usually crowded with employees from nearby offices during the lunch hours.
The Bengaluru Police have improved security measures across the city as the state is placed under high alert following the blast.