In yet another terror act in the city, suspected terrorists set off a low-intensity blast using an improvised explosive device (IED) on the crowded Church Street at 8.35 p.m. on Sunday, claiming the life of a woman and injuring three others.
The police identified the dead as Bhavani Devi, 37, from Chennai. The injured, Karthick, Sandeep and Vinay, have been admitted to Mallya Hospital and HOSMAT Hospital.
Director-General and Inspector-General of Police Lalrukhoma Pachau said intelligence reports warning of terror strikes had come in for the city, but they were not specific.
We have certain leads: Bengaluru Police
City Police Commissioner M.N. Reddi has said that “we have certain leads” about Sunday’s blast in the city, which could not be disclosed now.
Spoke to Karnataka CM Shri S Siddaramaiah regarding the Bangalore blasts. He apprised me of the situation. Centre ready to provide all help.
— Rajnath Singh (@BJPRajnathSingh) >December 28, 2014“It appears like an act of terror essentially to cause panic and fear,” he said.
No organisation has claimed responsibility for the blast.
IED kept hidden
The improvised explosive device (IED) that went off on Church Street here, claiming the life of a woman, was kept wrapped in a piece of cloth behind a flower bush in front of Coconut Grove, a popular joint.
Those injured in the blast were pedestrians, one of them being thrown to a distance of over five feet, witnesses said.
People ran helter-skelter after the blast, while some others thought it was a firecracker burst.
An alert autorickshaw driver, Narasimha, swung into action and shifted a critically injured Bhavani Devi, who died of injuries around 10.45 p.m., and others to hospital immediately.
The police cordoned off the area, clearing vehicles parked on the street and scouring for any unattended objects in the vicinity.
Remnants recovered
Additional Commissioner of Police B. Dayananda, who is in charge of the Forensic Science Laboratory, said the police have recovered remnants of the explosive material and the pellets from the bomb. He confirmed that it was an IED, but said that its composition was still being investigated. Police sources said the bomb was timer-triggered.
Additional police forces have been deployed across the city and a high alert has been sounded. Security has been beefed up at all exit points.
Union Law Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda, who visited the spot, condemned the incident and promised Central assistance.
Extremely saddened that the >#BangaloreBlast has claimed an innocent victim. I am rushing back from Mysuru to review the situation.
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) >December 28, 2014State Home Minister K.J. George said anti-national elements were behind the blast and no one would be spared.
One low intensity blast on Church Street. 2 injured, 1 serious. All requested to be alert & inform 100 if any unintended object found.
— M N Reddi, IPS (@CPBlr) >December 28, 2014Police have cordoned off the area and mobilised additional forces, he said.
Very unfortunate incident. Visiting church street bomb blast site now
— Sadananda Gowda (@DVSBJP) >December 28, 2014
I request fellow Bengalurian's not to Panic. We r with u
— Sadananda Gowda (@DVSBJP) >December 28, 2014
Meanwhile, Bengaluru City Police has requested people not to panic, nor believe in rumours.
>@CPBlr Please donot panic and do NOT believe RUMOURs. Call 100 incase of any doubt. BC Police has secured the area & investigation is on.
— Abhishek Goyal (@goyal_abhei) >December 28, 2014Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Rajya Sabha MP, said:
>#BengaluruBlast message for citizens across the country - be alert and vigilant n Work with the police to take on threats of terrorism!
— Rajeev Chandrasekhar (@rajeev_mp) >December 28, 2014
Spoke2 CM abt >#BengaluruBlast and assured him full support of center in investigations & providing security2citizens of >#Bengaluru and K'ka
— Ananthkumar (@AnanthKumar_BJP) >December 28, 2014Earlier blasts in Bengaluru:
 | >17 injured in blast near Bangalore BJP officeA bomb explosion of low intensity injured 17 people, including 12 police personnel, near the BJP headquarters at Malleswaram on April 17, 2013. >Read More... |
>Serial blasts rattle Bangalore; woman killedA series of low intensity blasts rocked the southern and central parts of Bangalore on July 25, 2008. One person was killed and seven were injured in the eight explosions that created panic among residents and threw traffic out of gear on a rainy working day. >Read More... | |
| >17 injured in blasts outside Chinnasamy stadiumSeventeen persons, including nine police personnel, were injured when two low-intensity IEDs went off outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium ahead of the IPL match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians on April 18, 2010. >Read More... |
>Scientist killed as gunman opens fire in BangaloreMan in camouflage jacket started firing when delegates were coming out of an international conference at IISc on December 29, 2005.. >Read More... | |
(With PTI inputs )
Published - December 28, 2014 09:51 pm IST
