Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah officially confirmed on Friday that the explosion at Rameshwaram Cafe was caused by a low-intensity improvised explosive device (IED). The incident, which occurred in the heart of Bengaluru, sent shockwaves through the IT capital of India. Siddaramaiah verified that the explosive device had been concealed inside a customer’s bag.
Addressing reporters in Mysuru, Siddaramaiah stated that in the afternoon, an unidentified person left a bag at the cafe, resulting in an explosion that injured several individuals. He mentioned ongoing efforts to scrutinize CCTV footage, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation. Siddaramaiah stressed that it was an improvised blast, not a high-explosive event, and the police were on-site managing the situation. He urged the Home Minister to review the incident.
In his initial response, Siddaramaiah discouraged politicizing the event, recalling the last blast in Karnataka during the BJP government’s rule in Mangaluru. The explosion at Rameshwaram Cafe left at least nine people injured. Initially thought to be a cylinder blast, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya dispelled this notion on social media, revealing information from the cafe’s founder, Nagaraj. According to Nagaraj, the blast originated from a bag left by a customer.
The cafe’s security guard confirmed the crowded conditions during the incident, describing a loud sound followed by a fire that caused injuries to customers. Forensic experts promptly arrived at the scene to gather evidence, and the injured were swiftly transported to hospitals. Thankfully, there were no reported fatalities at that point. The aftermath revealed shattered glass and scattered furniture on the cafe floor.
Rameshwaram Cafe, known for its popularity, particularly during lunch hours, witnessed the unfortunate incident, prompting concerns about security and public safety. The government’s response, coupled with ongoing investigations, seeks to address the incident comprehensively and ensure the well-being of citizens in the aftermath of this alarming event.
Check here for the latest updates in Hindi!