IED Used In Blast At Bengaluru's Rameshwaram Cafe, Karnataka CM Confirms

A minor blast was reported at Rameshwaram Cafe in Whitefield in Bengaluru on Friday afternoon. At least, nine people have been injured in the incident.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has confirmed to reporters that the blast at Rameshwaram Cafe was caused by a low-intensity improvised explosive device.

Among those grievously injured is the woman who was sitting near the bag. She is being treated at the hospital, he added.

They are Farooqh (19), and Deepanshu (23) Swarnamba (40), Mohan (41), Nagashree (35), Momi (30), Balaram Krishna (31), Navya (25), and Srinivas (67).

A bomb disposal squad and forensic teams are at the spot to ascertain the actual cause of the blast as police now suspect that a bag at the eatery exploded.

CCTV footage is being scanned to check if there was any suspicious movement in and around Rameswaram Cafe in Whitefield, where the blast took place.

Karnataka DGP Alok Mohan, Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda and other senior officials are inspecting the premises, which has been cordoned off.

NIA and IB officials have been informed, the DGP said. "At 1.08 pm today, the fire department received a call about LPG leakage fire in the cafe. When our officers and teams reached the spot, there was no fire or flame. A bag which was lying behind a woman who was sitting with six other customers at the eatery exploded. It is suspected that the explosion could have been caused due to some object in that bag," TN Shivashankar, Director of Karnataka State Fire and Emergency Services department told PTI.

It is not clear whose bag it was, he said.

Ruling out about the possibility of any gas cylinder leakage, the officer said, "I along with my team of officers inspected the spot. But there is no sign of any leakage from the gas cylinder. We have checked it. Another LPG gas cylinder inside the kitchen which was used for tea and coffee was also checked but there is no leakage from it as well. There is no sign of gas leakage from any cylinders at the spot as per our initial probe."

The pictures from the scene show police officers, firefighters, and numerous individuals gathered outside the cafe.

Authorities stated that they are conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the explosion. "We received a call about a cylinder blast in Rameshwaram cafe. Immediately, a fire engine was rushed to the spot. Initial suspicions are that it is a cylinder blast. However, it is being ascertained. It is a minor blast and we have shifted those injured to the hospital. The incident occurred between 1.30 and 2 pm. We are probing it from all angles," a police officer told PTI.

As per the reports in TV9 Kannada, the injured were rushed to a nearby hospital through autos and cars.

Rameshwaram Cafe has several outlets including in JP Nagar in Bengaluru. Bollywood actor Karthik Aryan had visited one of its branches, last week, and hailed the food prepared here. He also posted pictures from the restaurant.

An eyewitness has told a Kannada news channel that a loud noise was heard. Mohan said, "We heard the noise. When we came to the spot, we saw people moving out of the hotel. I also saw women soaked in blood. I think two people are seriously injured and at least 10 are injured."

Going by the reports, the bomb squad has arrived at the spot. Also, a battery, ID card, and a nut have been recovered from the blast site.

Meanwhile, senior BJP leader Basanagouda R Patil (Yatnal) has demanded an investigation into the incident by the National Investigation Agency. He has claimed that the blast occurred because of a bag that was left by a customer and not any cylinder explosion.

On X, he wrote, "Blast in Rameshwaram Cafe, Bengaluru should be investigated by National Investigation Agency. Blast occurred because of a bag that was left by a customer and not any cylinder explosion.

Few days ago, Karnataka Congress defended those who shouted pro Pakistan slogans. Karnataka demands Resignation of Home Minister Parameshwara. #ResignParameshwar."