Motorbike blast near BJP's B'lore office injures sixteen

Bangalore, April 17: At least 16 people, including five policemen, were injured when an "incendiary bomb" placed in a motorbike exploded near the Karnataka BJP city office buzzing with activity ahead of the May five Assembly polls.

The policemen were on security duty as part of the bandobast arrangements for the BJP office in view of the polls when the explosion ripped through the crowded area damaging two vans, a Karnataka State Reserve Police vehicle and a motorbike, top police officials said.

A National Investigative Agency team has arrived here, he said, adding, forensic experts would also be joining them. "As of now, we do not know what is the material of the bomb blast. We will know after examination," he said.

The blast occurred around 10.30 AM when the BJP office is normally brimming with party workers and candidates.

Wednesday is the last day for filing of nominations.

City Police Commissioner Raghavendra Auradkar, citing preliminary investigation, said, "It is an explosion", adding a motorbike with an "incendiary bomb" was used. The bike was planted in the midst of cars, he said."At this stage, I can't say what kind of explosion it was", the police chief said.

Police said "explosive and incendiary materials" were used.

According to them, Police personnel were injured as they rushed out of their vehicle parked nearby the party office on seeing the vehicles going up in flames. Two of the injured were college students who were returning home after tution, Shivamurthy, an eye witness, said, adding BJP workers shifted some of the injured to hospital.

Initial reports had said the explosion could have been caused by an LPG cylinder fitted to a car.

According to eye witnesses, a loud noise was heard and some vehicles went up in flames, sending the people to flee in panic. Police have cordoned off the area.

With the state going to Assembly polls on May five, the BJP office located in a residential locality is abuzz with activity for the past few weeks.

MHA sends NIA team to assist Bangalore police

The Home Ministry on Wednesday rushed a team of NIA to the Bangalore blast site and offered all help to the Karnataka government in its investigation.

"A team of NIA is reaching the Bangalore blast site. We are in constant touch with the Karnataka government and ready to offer any help which is required," Minister of State for Home RPN Singh told reporters in New Delhi.

Singh said the nature of the blast and the materials used to carry out the explosion were not so far clear and investigators were looking into all possibilities as nothing can be ruled out.

The Minister appealed to everyone to maintain peace and not to indulge in rumour mongering.

"We appeal to everyone that peace should be maintained. Please do not indulge in rumour mongering," he said.

Referring to Monday's blasts in US city of Boston, Singh said terrorism was a global phenomena and everyone should be united to fight the menace.

The Minister said all political parties should join hands and work for the interest and integrity of the country.