Hours after a blast at the popular Rameshwaram Cafe shocked Bengaluru on Friday, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed that the explosion was caused by a small improvised explosive device (IED). An NIA team has arrived at the spot, media reports said.
Revealing details of the preliminary investigation, the chief minister said that a person who arrived to have breakfast left behind a bag at Rameshwaram Cafe. "It was reported that the person who had taken the token from the cashier and had breakfast there, left the bag. CCTV cameras are being checked. Clear information will be available soon," Siddaramaiah jotted on X (formerly Twitter).
WATCH THE VIDEO OF THE BLAST HERE:
Meanwhile, visuals of the blast were made available on the internet. The CCTV visuals from the inside of the cafe showed staff and customers running away before smoke engulfed the entire building. The timing of the visuals read 12:55.
Bengaluru Police have registered a case under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Explosive Substances Act in connection with the explosion.
A statement issued by the city Police Commissioner's office said 10 people were injured in the blast. The bomb exploded between 12.50 pm and 1 pm, and a total of 10 people including hotel staff and customers were injured in the blast. However, there was no loss of life, it added.
The case has been registered at HAL police station under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 and the Explosive Substances Act. Forensic experts and a bomb disposal squad have visited the spot and are investigating, it said.