Woman killed, three injured in blast on Church Street

It appears like an act of terror essentially to cause panic and fear, says City Commissioner of Police M.N. Reddi

A woman was killed and three persons were injured when an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded on the crowded Church Street at 8.35 p.m. on Sunday.

The deceased woman, hailing from Chennai, was identified as Bhavani Devi (38). The injured persons were identified as Karthick, Sandeep and Vinay. While Sandeep and Vinay were admitted to HOSMAT Hospital, Karthick and Bhavani Devi were shifted to Mallya Hospital.

No organisation has claimed responsibility for the blast so far.

Director-General and Inspector-General of Police Lalrokhuma Pachau said that there were intelligence reports about terror strikes in the city in the light of Christmas and New Year. However, it was not specific to Bengaluru.

‘We have certain leads’

City Commissioner of Police M.N. Reddi told presspersons that “we have certain leads” that the police could not disclose at the moment. “It appears like an act of terror essentially to cause panic and fear,” he said.

Additional police forces have been deployed across the city and a high alert has been sounded. Security has been tightened in all exit points of the city.

Centre’s assurance

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who spoke to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on phone following the incident assured the State government of all necessary help and assistance. Mr. Siddaramaiah is rushing back to Bengaluru from Mysuru tonight.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah visited the blast site late in the night. He said that police had taken all necessary precautions after the arrest of pro-IS tweeter Mehdi Masroor Biswas.