10 injured in Bengaluru cafe IED blasts

BENGALURU: Ten people were injured when twin blasts of low intensity, suspected to have been triggered by an improvised explosive device (IED) fitted with a timer inside a bag, rocked the Rameshwaram Café located at Kundalahalli Gate of Whitefield in Bengaluru on Friday around 1 pm. Both customers and staff were injured. Police invoked the stringent UAPA provisions in the case.

According to initial reports, one customer is reportedly in serious condition. Officials from the local unit of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrived at the spot and conducted inquiry. The injured have been rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment, though their identities remain undisclosed at this time.

Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru city in-charge minister D.K. Shivakumar, accompanied by home minister Dr G. Parameshwar, revealed the blast was triggered by a low-intensity bomb clandestinely placed by an anonymous individual, believed to be around 35 years old. The perpetrator, Shivakumar stated, had set a timer for the bomb to detonate, concealed within a bag.

The investigation into the bombing was swiftly undertaken by sleuths from the City Crime Branch (CCB), with eight dedicated teams deployed to apprehend the culprit. Shivakumar noted that the suspect's movements were captured on surveillance cameras, revealing his arrival at the café after disembarking from a bus.

Upon entering the establishment, the suspect consumed Rava Idli before leaving the bag containing the explosive device behind and setting the timer for the blast. Approximately an hour after his departure, the bomb exploded, resulting in injuries to approximately 10 individuals who were present at the café around 1 pm. Both the Bomb Detection Squad and Forensic Science team have conducted thorough examinations at the site.

Divya, the managing director of Rameshwaram Café, revealed that the blasts occurred within a span of 10 seconds, with the explosive materials placed near the plate dumping area. She clarified that gas cylinders were not involved in the incident. Divya further noted that similar incidents involving abandoned bags have occurred in the past, prompting them to notify the police.

Meanwhile, in Mysuru, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reassured the public that the injured individuals are out of danger. Authorities have been questioning the café's cashier to glean further information about the individual who left the bag.

Director-general of police Alok Mohan, after conducting an on-site inspection, informed reporters that the Forensic Science team is collecting evidence from the blast site. The materials used in the explosions will be identified after thorough examination. Additionally, police commissioner Dayanand and other senior police officials inspected the site, with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) being alerted to the incident.

Following the blasts, the Fire and Emergency Services personnel responded, while Bomb Detection Squad and Forensic experts were deployed to gather crucial details.

Eyewitnesses recounted their harrowing experiences, with Nagaraj describing hearing a loud sound followed by thick smoke engulfing the café. He, along with others, promptly assisted in transporting the injured to hospitals. Another eyewitness, Sabareesh, observed damage to the café's flooring and windows, attributing it to the intensity of the blasts. It is suspected that the explosive materials may have been concealed near a dustbin.

In the chaos that ensued after the blasts, numerous customers fled the café, leaving behind their belongings. Injured individuals, including Farooq from Assam, shared their accounts of being caught in the blasts while going about their routine activities at the café. Investigations into the incident are ongoing as authorities work to ascertain the motive behind the attacks and bring those responsible to justice.