IED blast in Bengaluru restaurant, confirms CMO; CCTV footage reveals moment of explosion

BENGALURU: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said the explosion at The Rameshwaram Cafe in HAL area of Whitefield was caused probably by an improvised explosive device (IED) and that nine people were injured in the incident.

Meanwhile, CCTV footage from the hotel shows two explosions within a span of 10 seconds. Customers and staff can be seen running helter-skelter while at least one person was knocked down by the intensity of the blast.

Speaking to media persons in Mysuru, the CM said, “Sometime around 12 pm, somebody placed a bag in the restaurant. The investigation is going on. About eight people who were at the restaurant have been injured, but all have escaped tragedy. Footage from CCTV cameras is being examined. It is being said that the explosion was caused by an IED. We are not yet sure if it was a terror act and further investigation is going on. I have instructed the Home minister to visit the spot”.

Later, a post on X from the CM’s Office said, “The investigation into the explosion that took place at the Rameswaram Cafe in Bengaluru is going on in full swing. Strict action will be taken against the culprits for sure. Preliminary investigation revealed a small improvised explosive device, more information will be available after the full report”.

“It was reported that the person who had taken the token from the cashier and had breakfast there, left the bag. Around eight people were injured in the incident. Fortunately, all escaped unhurt. Checking the CCTV camera. The investigation is going on and the Home Minister has been asked to visit the place. Clear information will be available soon”.

“Such an incident should not have happened in the state. Another such incident happened in Mangalore. Whoever did this will be found out and strict action will be taken against them. Opposition parties should not play politics in such matters. Everyone should now cooperate with the government”, the post said.

Reacting to the issue, Deputy CM D K Shivakumar said, “Our officers are investigating the case. They are looking into why the blast was carried out, whether it was any business rivalry or other factors. We have video evidence from 2-3 radius and people need not worry. We are monitoring the law and order situation. Some people may try to create trouble, but we will take adequate security measures”.

Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara said in Tumakuru that DG&IGP Alok Mohan and Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda had visited the spot. “An FSL team and the bomb squad also reached the blast site. About nine people are injured and are undergoing treatment his hospitals. None of them are in a serious condition. We will know the cause of the blast after the reports come in. I will visit the spot today evening or tomorrow morning”, he said.

The police have to confirm if it in fact an improvised explosive device (IED). It wouldn’t be right to speculat on such issues till the reports come in”, he added.

Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG&IGP) Alok Mohan on Friday informed that nine people were injured in Bengaluru’s Rameshwaram Cafe blast. “The CM and the Home Minister have been given complete information on the incident. Nine people were injured in the incident. An investigation is under way. We will get feedback from the FSL team. We will respond after receiving the report”, he said.

A security guard working at the Rameshwaram Cafe who was present at the time of the incident said, “I was standing outside the cafe. Many customers had come to the hotel. Suddenly there was a loud sound and a fire broke out, causing injuries to the customers inside the hotel”.

The National Investigation Agency also visit the site of the explosion site as per Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). All the injured were shifted to hospital and are said to be out of danger.

Following the incident, state BJP president B Y Vijayendra posted on X, “The incident of bomb explosion in Rameswaram Cafe in Bengaluru has shocked the people of the capital. Law and order is deteriorating day by day under the rule of the Congress government”.

“Murder, extortion, hooliganism, violence against women continue to be reported in serial form, the country’s powerhouses are shouting ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogans inside the legislative building. Now they have entered a crowded hotel and exploded a bomb, injuring innocent people and creating an atmosphere of extreme anxiety”.

“If the Congress government does not change its way of calculating the vote bank, considering the activities that bring danger to Subhadra Karnataka, the BJP will take up the fight to show the way to remove it from the legislative building”, he added.