Bengaluru blast: Case registered under anti-terror law UAPA

As a low-intensity IED blast took place in Bengaluru's popular Rameshwaram cafe during busy lunch hour, investigators are finding clues from CCTV footage. Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shuvakumar said the suspect has been identified as a man of 28 to 30 years old. He came to the cafe during the breakfast hour, and bought a coupon for Rava idli but left the cafe without having the idli. Read on.

Bengaluru Rameshwaram Cafe blast live: After the bomb blast at the Rameswaram Cafe in Bangalore, Hyderabad Police on Friday announced the implementation of precautionary measures, including vehicle checks, across the city, an official said.

"Precautionary measures, along with vehicle checking, are being carried out across Hyderabad after the Rameshwaram cafe blast incident," Hyderabad Police Commissioner Kothakota Sreenivasa Reddy said.

On whether the Bengaluru blast is an act of terror, CM Siddaramaiah said,"It was not a large-scale blast, it was an improvised explosive blast. Such things have happened earlier too, it should not happen. Let's see what it is. In recent times such blasts had not taken place other than the incident in Mangaluru (Nov'22 pressure cooker blast) during BJP rule. This is the first such incident during our government,"

“The mindset has to be changed. They (Karnataka government) are saying 'Brand Bengaluru' but it will become 'Bomb Bengaluru'. I request the government to take serious action. There is no law and order. This government is not running properly,” R Ashoka, leader of opposition in Karnataka assembly, was quoted by ANI as saying.

An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) is a homemade bomb or destructive device. These devices exhibit diverse forms, spanning from small pipe bombs to intricate constructions capable of causing substantial damage and loss of life. IEDs can be transported in vehicles, carried by individuals, delivered in packages, or concealed along roadsides.

Read here- Bengaluru cafe blast: Spotlight on IEDs, cheap but lethal homemade bomb

Bengaluru Rameshwaram Cafe blast live: Between 12.50 and 1pm, a man aged between 28-30 entered the cafe and ordered for Rava Idli. However he didn't take the order and left the cafe. After 10 min, the blast has occurred. Total 10 injured

A case under UAPA has been registered at HAL police station. Both bomb squad and police are coordinating with each other for more clues

Bengaluru Rameshwaram Cafe blast live: Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar and state home minister G Parameshwara, along with DGP Alok Mohan, visited the Bengaluru explosion site for inspection.

Bengaluru Rameshwaram Cafe blast live: "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.

“At first, they tried the narrative of cylinder blast. Now, they are trying the narrative of business rivalry. Why can’t the Congress Govt allow the investigation agencies to do their job? Why preempt? Why prompt? Vote Bank compulsions?” BJP MP Tejasvi Surya said in an 'X' post.

“CM Siddaramaiah must give free hand to investigate and give clear answers to people of Bengaluru,” he added.

Bengaluru Rameshwaram Cafe blast live: On the Bengaluru cafe blast, Karnataka Dy CM DK Shivakumar said, "It was a low-intensity blast. A youth came and kept a small bag which exploded after an hour. About 10 people received injuries. 7-8 teams formed to probe the incident. We are looking at all angles. I ask every Banglorean to not worry."

Leader of Opposition in the Assembly and BJP leader R Ashoka said Rameshwaram Cafe bomb blast was yet another glaring example of the "deteriorating law and order situation" in Karnataka ever since the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government came to power in the state.

"Wherever the Congress comes to power, the terrorists and anti-national elements feel emboldened because of its policy of unabashed and unbridled appeasement," he alleged.

"The Congress government should first ensure 'guarantee' of safety and security to the people of Karnataka," he said.

Bengaluru Rameshwaram Cafe blast live: "Deeply troubled to hear about the blast at Rameswaram Cafe in Bangalore. Praying for a swift recovery of all the injured in the incident. State govt should order a detailed enquiry and spare no efforts in apprehending the perpetrators," Karnataka BJP President Vijayendra posted on social media platform X.

Vijayendra said the failure of police intelligence is also evident in this incident. "We strongly urge the police to conduct a thorough probe and eradicate these elements from the core without yielding to any political pressures," he added.

Bengaluru Rameshwaram Cafe blast live: Addressing reporters in Mysuru, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah said, "CCTV footage from the cafe is being examined. It has come to be known that someone had left a bag at the cafe. The accused in the incident will be punished."

Asserting that "multiple explosions have also taken place in the previous governments," the Chief Minister said, "This incident has happened in our government. Disciplinary and strict action will be taken against those who involved. Politics should not be done in this matter."

• The Rameshwaram Cafe, part of the renowned South Indian Quick Service Restaurant chain, operates under the trademark-registered brand M/s. Altran Ventures Pvt. Ltd, as stated on the eatery's website.

• The cafe prides itself on the on-the-go preparation of cuisines, promising hot and fresh servings crafted with the finest ingredients, authentic South Indian recipes, and strict adherence to hygiene standards. Operating hours for the brand's outlets are from 6.30 am to 1 am.

• Launched in 2021 by Raghavendra Rao and his wife Divya Rao, the cafe chain successfully opened two outlets in Bengaluru.

• The name 'Rameshwaram' was selected as a tribute to the birthplace of former President APJ Abdul Kalam, as mentioned on the website.

• Raghavendra, a former Mechanical Engineering graduate with over 20 years of experience in the food industry, serves as the Chief Executive Officer. Divya, a qualified Chartered Accountant and postgraduate from IIM Ahmedabad in Finance and Management, leads the Management and Finance Department at the Rameshwaram Cafe.

Divya Raghavendra Rao, co-founder and managing director of the cafe chain, said she was told there were two explosions within 10 seconds of each other. "It happened in the area where customers wash their hands ... something that was kept in a bag exploded," Rao told the local TV9 news channel.

National Investigation Agency (NIA) is to visit the Bengaluru explosion site as per Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). Forensic team is already at the blast site.

“We are conducting an ivestigation, the FSL team has arrived. We will definitely find out what happened. They are not seriously injured, but are getting treatment now,” says Karnataka DGP

“CCTV footage from the cafe is being examined. It has come to be known that someone had left a bag at the cafe. The accused in the incident will be punished,” Karnataka CM tells reporters.

A security guard working at the Rameshwaram Cafe told ANI, "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.

Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Friday confirmed that the Rameshwaram Cafe blast was caused by a low-intensity improvised explosive device. Dig deeper

Karnataka director general of police Alok Mohan says, " The CM and the Home Minister have been given complete information on the incident. Nine people were injured in the incident. An investigation is underway. We will get feedback from the FSL team."