BackBlast outside BJP office in Bangalore leaves 16 injured
The explosion took place around 100 metres from the BJP office in Malleswaram
Premium(Hemant Mishra/Mint)
B angalore: A low-intensity explosion on Wednesday morning near the headquarters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Bangalore left 16 people hurt, among them eight policemen.
The explosion took place around 100 metres from the BJP office in Malleswaram on the last date for filing of nominations for the 5 May assembly election.
“Nobody has been critically injured, they are all being treated at a nearby hospital," said Karnataka director general of police L. Pachuau.
The blast damaged two cars, a motorcycle and a van of the Karnataka State Reserve Police, he said. “National Investigation Agency officials have also come and our forensic lab officials are also examining the evidence closely," he said, adding, it was too early to comment on the nature of the blast.
Earlier, Bangalore police commissioner Raghavendra Auradkar said: “We feel that it is a motorcycle blast. It seems to be an explosive plus incendiary bomb."
Karnataka chief minister Jagadish Shettar said he was waiting for details of the blast and that protection to party offices should be boosted. The BJP heads the Karnataka government.
The injured were taken to KC General Hospital in Malleswaram. A hospital spokesperson said none of the injured were critical and were undergoing surgery to remove shrapnel.
Deputy chief minister and home minister R. Ashok said the BJP office was being targeted due to the upcoming election. “A big crowd was supposed to gather outside the office today. Terrorists have targeted our people," he said.
BJP workers at the headquarters said that a meeting of the party’s media cell was underway when the blast was heard around 10.30am. “We were working when we heard a large noise. All of us ran out to see a few vehicles burning and that’s when we realized it was a blast," said Rahul Shetty, a BJP worker.
Police officials were inspecting the remains of a motorcycle believed to have carried the explosives. They are searching for the owner of the bike.
Had the bomb gone off a little later, it would have caused more damage, Union home ministry officials said.
“It appears that blast site was carefully chosen," said an official, who didn’t want to be named. The plan may have been to cause more casualties but there wasn’t much of a crowd at the time, he said.
“Till yesterday, it was swarming with people as ticket distribution was underway," he said. “At this moment, it would be premature to say who could be behind the blast. An improvised explosive device caused the explosion and teams of investigators and forensic experts are examining the blast site."
BJP president Rajnath Singh refused to be drawn into a debate about Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad’s tweet about such incidents helping the BJP’s prospects in the forthcoming elections.
“BJP does not use issue of terrorism for its political gain or loss," Singh said. “I have spoken to the Karnataka chief minister and the state BJP president to inquire about the incident… I do not believe that blast could be stage managed. Such acts are taking place across the country."
Union minister of state for home affairs R.P.N. Singh said: “All parties should speak in same voice against terrorism. I have not seen what Shakeel Ahmad has tweeted. Congress party appeals to all other political parties not to (indulge in) politics on the issue of terrorism."
PTI contributed to this story.
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