Bengaluru: Blast in Rameshwaram Cafe leaves 9 injured; CM confirms IED link

At least eight persons sustained injuries in a blast at the popular Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru on Friday (March 1), police said. The blast happened at the restaurant's Whitefield branch.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed it was a blast and a low-intensity improvised explosive device (IED) was used. He added that an investigation is on to ascertain whether it was an act of terror.

CM promises stringent action

Promising stringent action against culprits, the CM urged Opposition parties not to politicise the blast. ,

Speaking to reporters, Siddaramaiah said, "Just after 12 pm, a person left a bag at the cafe. Investigation is underway. Police are examining CCTV footage. It was not a heavy explosion but an improvised one. Eight people are injured."

Those injured have been shifted to different hospitals for treatment. Among them were two staff and seven customers, officials said. A bomb disposal squad and forensic teams are at the spot to ascertain the actual cause of the blast as police now suspect that a bag at the eatery exploded. CCTV footage is being scanned to check if there was any suspicious movement in and around Rameswaram Cafe in Whitefield, where the blast took place.

Top police officers at spot

Karnataka DGP Alok Mohan, Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda and other senior officials are inspecting the premises, which has been cordoned off. NIA and IB officials have been informed, the DGP said.

"At 1.08 pm, the fire department received a call about LPG leakage fire in the cafe. When our officers and teams reached the spot, there was no fire or flame. A bag which was lying behind a woman who was sitting with six other customers at the eatery exploded. It is suspected that the explosion could have been caused due to some object in that bag," TN Shivashankar, Director of Karnataka State Fire and Emergency Services department said. It is not clear whose bag it was, he said.

Ruling out about the possibility of any gas cylinder leakage, the officer said, "I, along with my team of officers, inspected the spot. But there is no sign of any leakage from the gas cylinder. We have checked it. Another LPG gas cylinder inside the kitchen which was used for tea and coffee was also checked but there is no leakage from it as well. There is no sign of gas leakage from any cylinders at the spot as per our initial probe."

Shivakumar urges Bangaloreans to not worry

In total, nine people, including seven customers were injured. Among those grievously injured is the woman who was sitting near the bag. She is being treated at the hospital, he added.

On Friday evening, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar told the media that police are looking at all angles and seven to eight teams were formed to probe the incident. He also urged every Bangalorean to not worry.

"It was a low-intensity blast. A youth came and kept a small bag which exploded after an hour. About 10 people received injuries. Seven to eight teams have been formed to probe the incident. We are looking at all angles. I ask every Banglorean to not worry," Shivakumar said.