A low-intensity bomb blast occurred at Bengaluru’s popular Rameshwaram Cafe on Friday, causing injuries to at least nine people. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed that the explosion was caused by a low-intensity improvised explosive device (IED) placed inside a customer’s bag. The incident sent shockwaves through the IT capital of India, prompting authorities to investigate the matter.
Siddaramaiah, speaking in Mysuru, informed reporters that the blast occurred after someone left a bag at the cafe, emphasizing that it was an explosive blast. The CCTV footage is being examined, and the chief minister highlighted the improvised nature of the explosive device. He urged against politicizing the incident and mentioned that the last blast in Karnataka happened in Mangaluru during the BJP government’s rule.
Initially, there were speculations of a cylinder blast, but BJP MP Tejasvi Surya clarified on social media that it was not a cylinder explosion. The cafe’s founder, Nagaraj, informed Surya that the blast originated from a bag left by a customer. Forensic experts are collecting evidence at the site, and the injured have been hospitalized, with no reported fatalities.
The explosion, which occurred during lunchtime when the cafe was crowded, resulted in shattered glass and scattered furniture. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is expected to visit the site, following its standard operating procedure. Karnataka Director General of Police Alok Mohan stated that the investigation is underway, awaiting the forensics report. Home Minister G Parameshwara assured a thorough probe into all angles of the incident. Divya Raghavendra Rao, the cafe chain’s co-founder, reported two explosions within 10 seconds of each other.
