Bengaluru Rameshwaram Cafe Blast: IED Explosion Confirmed by CM Siddaramaiah; 10 Injured
Initial Look Up In The Case
In a tragic incident during lunchtime on Friday, a major explosion occurred at the Rameshwaram café in Bengaluru. The injured individuals, including two staff members and seven customers, have been swiftly taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Authorities suspect that a bag within the eatery exploded, prompting the deployment of a bomb disposal squad and forensic teams to investigate the incident.
The café, situated in the lively Brookfield area of Whitefield, serves as both a business center and a tech hub, typically bustling with employees from nearby offices during lunch hours. Currently, senior officials, including Karnataka DGP Alok Mohan and Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda, are inspecting the premises, which have been cordoned off for further investigation. Additionally, NIA and IB officials have been notified1.
The blast site has been sealed, and law enforcement is diligently examining CCTV footage from the café to ascertain the precise cause of the explosion
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Reveals Details of Bengaluru Bombing: Masked Man Sets Timer, Triggers Explosion at Rameshwaram Cafe | Latest Updates on the Rameshwaram Cafe Blast
Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on March 2nd, voiced assurance in the apprehension of the individual responsible for the explosion at Rameshwaram Cafe, a popular eatery in the city, citing surveillance footage capturing the suspect’s movements.
He emphasized the ongoing investigation into the blast at the Brookfield area eatery, which resulted in ten injuries, clarifying that it’s yet to be determined if any organization was involved.
On the explosion at Bengaluru’s The Rameshwaram Cafe, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah says "A person wearing a mask and cap came in a bus, fixed the timer and exploded it. The deputy CM and Home Minister visited the spot yesterday. I will also go to the hospital and the spot today. I… pic.twitter.com/3ZhcyULi6I
— ANI (@ANI) March 2, 2024
Detailing the sequence of events, Siddaramaiah described a masked individual arriving by bus, purchasing food, and subsequently triggering the explosion. He noted that nine people were injured, though later corrected to ten, affirming that all were in stable condition.
#WATCH | Bengaluru: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah visits Brookfield Hospital to meet those injured in the Rameshwaram Cafe blast. pic.twitter.com/G4byV0dlm5
— ANI (@ANI) March 2, 2024
Addressing reporters, Siddaramaiah mentioned the visits of the Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister to the site, announcing his own planned visit to the cafe and the hospital treating the injured.
#WATCH | Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah visits The Rameshwaram Cafe, a day after a low-intensity explosion took place here in Bengaluru pic.twitter.com/dxw9YIy7DM
— ANI (@ANI) March 2, 2024
Regarding suspicions of organizational involvement, Siddaramaiah stressed the ongoing efforts to locate the perpetrator, citing footage of the suspect’s movements as aiding in their swift identification of Rameshwaram Cafe Blast.
Responding to comparisons drawn between this incident of Rameshwaram Cafe Blast and the 2022 Mangaluru cooker blast, Siddaramaiah reiterated the seriousness of the ongoing investigations.
Regarding opposition accusations of government appeasement policies contributing to the incident, Siddaramaiah dismissed the claims as political maneuvering by the BJP, emphasizing the condemnation of the explosion and urging against politicization of the incident.
When questioned about the nature of the act, whether it constituted terrorism, Siddaramaiah reiterated that investigations were underway.
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah visits The Rameshwaram Cafe, a day after a low-intensity explosion took place here in Bengaluru. pic.twitter.com/4O6aJb8FZa
— ANI (@ANI) March 2, 2024
An investigative team comprising the Forensic Science Laboratory, bomb disposal squad, and dog squad conducted an inquiry into the bomb blast that occurred at The Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru’s Whitefield area on Thursday. The explosion resulted in injuries to ten people. The Bengaluru police have filed an FIR under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), including sections 307, 471, 16, 18, and 38. Additionally, sections 3 and 4 of the Explosive Substance Act have been invoked. According to Karnataka’s Home Minister G. Parmeshwara, the suspect is believed to have used route number 26 bus for transportation12.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar On The Blast
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar stated on Saturday that the Rameshwaram Cafe Blast in Bengaluru is linked to the 2022 Mangaluru cooker blast.
“Our police officers have identified a connection between the Rameshwaram Cafe Blast and the Mangaluru case. The materials used, such as the timer, indicate a link. That’s why officers from Mangaluru and Shivamogga have joined the investigation in Bengaluru,” Shivakumar explained. He responded to queries about whether the government has any leads on the perpetrators behind the Rameshwaram Cafe Blast.
The Mangaluru cooker blast, which occurred in November 2022, was allegedly “Islamic State-sponsored” and involved a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative. An improvised explosive device (IED) placed inside a pressure cooker accidentally detonated while being transported in an auto rickshaw. Investigators discovered that the IED was intended for the Kadri Manjunatha temple. Shivakumar, also the Bengaluru City Development minister, emphasized that the police have been given full autonomy to investigate the Rameshwaram Cafe Blast.
“We’ve instructed the police to explore all angles without interference. Multiple teams are diligently working on this,” Shivakumar stated. He added that the suspect’s face is clearly captured on surveillance cameras throughout Bengaluru. “We’re examining the suspect’s movements, including how they arrived at Rameshwaram Cafe,” he said. Shivakumar assured Bengalureans that there is no cause for panic, describing the blast as low-intensity and locally assembled. “Although the impact covered 8-10 feet, the sound was loud,” he noted.
Regarding intelligence failures, Shivakumar declined to assign blame. “We cannot point fingers in such a vast city like Bengaluru. The suspect blended in like an ordinary person,” he asserted. The investigation will be thorough and impartial, he assured, emphasizing the state’s dignity and dismissing any political considerations.
To Summarise Rameshwaram Cafe Blast Till The Time We Are Posting This News
- Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah:
- The suspect, wearing a mask and cap, entered the cafe by bus.
- The suspect set a timer and triggered the explosion.
- Investigation is ongoing, and the government will take appropriate action based on the report.
- The Mangalore blast and Bengaluru explosion are unrelated.
- Urges the BJP not to politicize the matter.
- Karnataka Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara:
- Suspect likely arrived at the cafe via a public bus.
- Police analyzing CCTV footage for visual evidence.
- Multiple teams working on the case.
- Assures swift arrest of the accused.
- Use of Timer:
- Timer device used in the blast.
- Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team involved.
- Investigation Teams:
- Karnataka government formed 8 teams to investigate.
- Deputy CM Shivakumar: A youth left a small bag at Rameshwaram cafe, which exploded later.
- Approximately 10 people injured.
- Assures citizens that thorough investigation is underway.
- Witness Account:
- Security guard outside the cafe witnessed the blast.
- Many customers were inside the hotel when the explosion occurred.
- Fire broke out, causing injuries to customers.
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Source: Google Mint The Hindu Hindustan Times Deccan Herald
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