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Rameshwaram Cafe explosion in Bengaluru was IED blast, confirms CM Siddaramaiah

by Trans World Features | @twfindia 01 Mar 2024, 08:21 am

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said that the explosion at Rameshwaram Cafe was an 'IED blast' and added that it was caused due to a bag kept behind by an individual.

"I have an information that post noon, someone kept a bag and left ... the injured are out of danger. CCTV is being examined. They are saying it is an improvised explosive blast. We don't know if it is a terror attack. I have told the Home Minister (Dr G Parameshwara) to go there," the CM told reporters in Mysuru.

"The impact was low intensity, but it was an IED. Such blasts have happened under all governments, but should not have happened. Such things have not happened recently other than Mangaluru. It had not happened under our government. We will find out what happened," he said.

Meanwhile, Karnataka police said as many as nine persons have been injured in the suspicious explosion at the Rameshwaram Cafe.

"Nine people have been injured," DGP and IGP Alok Mohan told reporters here.

He said the condition of none of the persons injured in the blast was serious.

The DGP, however, did not give more details as investigation into the blast is underway.

"We will find out who did this. We don't want to speculate. FSL teams are collecting evidence. After that, we will give more details. The CM and HM have been briefed. We don't want to say more now as an investigation is on," he said.

National Investigation Agency (NIA) team has reached the blast site.

Bomb and forensic teams are at the blast site assisting the investigation.

The injured have been admitted to Brookfield Hospital for medical attention.

BJP National President Tejasvi Surya alleged that the explosion at Rameshwaram Cafe was not due to a cylinder but a clear case of a bomb blast.

Surya said the blast occurred because of a bag that was left and demanded answers from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

"Just spoke to Rameshwaram Café founder Sri Nagaraj about the blast in his restaurant. He informed me that the blast occurred because of a bag that was left by a customer and not any cylinder explosion.

"One of their employees is injured. It seems to be a clear case of a bomb blast. Bengaluru demands clear answers from CM @siddaramaiah," he said taking to X.

The explosion took place around 12.55 at the cafe.

(With UNI inputs)