Mangaluru: The autorickshaw blast in coastal Karnataka’s Mangaluru was not accidental but an act of terror with the intention to casue serious damage, Karnataka’s state police chief said today.

Suspicious explosive materials were found inside a cooker that was carried by the rickshaw passenger. the cooker exploded in a moving auto-rickshaw in Karna’aka’s Mangaluru. Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Alok Kumar has ordered a high-level probe into the matter.

Karnataka’s Home Minister Araga Jnanendra further added that central investigation teams are assisting the police in the case. “The person injured in the blast is not in a position to speak yet. The police team is collecting all the information. Early indications into the probe suggest terrorist activity. We expecting concrete information in the next one or two days”, said the minister.

Two persons including the driver of an autorickshaw sustained injuries after a fire was reported in a moving autorickshaw near Nagori in Kankanady Town police station limits. A pressure cooker and an object resembling a gas stove were found in the autorickshaw.