14 injured in blast near Bangalore BJP office

Forensic experts collect evidence from the blast site in Malleswaram.

An explosion near the BJP office in Malleswaram injured at least 14 people, including eight policemen, who were in a KSRP van stationed near the office for election security duty on 17th April 2013 morning.

Two cars and 2 two-wheelers were completely gutted, while the KSRP van was damaged in the explosion, which occurred around 10.20 am in the crowded residential locality.

Police Commissioner Raghavendra H. Auradkar confirmed that the blast was triggered by an explosive device on a bike parked between the two cars. Initial reports suggested that the explosion was caused by an LPG cylinder blast from a Maruti Omni van, owned by a BJP party worker.

The last blast reported in Bangalore was exactly three years ago, on the same date, ahead of an IPL match at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Senior police sources said initial investigations have revealed that a "timer-based, IED (improvised explosive device) fitted on a blue Suzuki bike" caused the blast. The police suspect that the bike was parked there overnight. Police sources also said that CCTV footage from cameras installed outside the BJP office may aid the investigation.

Meanwhile, L.R. Pachau, Director-General and Inspector-General of Police, told reporters that currently only the blast could be confirmed. "The police are still investigating into the kind of explosive that was used."

Glass and smoke everywhere

The site of the blast is covered with glass pieces, from the shattered window panes of vehicles in the area. Venkateshaiah, a KSRP head constable, who was having breakfast inside the van when the blast occurred, told that the impact of the blast was huge.

"We heard a loud explosion, and before we knew it our window panes shattered and there was thick black smoke everywhere. We couldn't see anything initially but somehow made our way out of the van," he said. When the smoke cleared up a bit he saw people lying on the road, most of whom had either collapsed due to the smoke or had been injured by the glass pieces from the shattered window panes.

Among the injured was Nisha, a II PUC student, who was returning home after her tuition classes. The injured were rushed to KC General Hospital. Authorities at the hospital confirmed that none of those brought in were critical.

Mr. Venkateshaiah added that the police van had just been moved there - about 500 metres from the BJP party office - an hour back after the party workers complained that it was obstructing traffic there.

The entire street has been cordoned off. The bomb squad, the National Investigative Agency and IB officers are all present at the spot. Home Minister R. Ashok also visited the party office and inspected the blast site.