One killed, three injured in bomb blast outside restaurant in Bengaluru

Three people were injured in a low-intensity blast in the Church Street area here on Sunday.

Bengaluru: One woman was killed and three injured in a blast in front of a famous restaurant in the heart of Bengaluru city on Sunday night.

The blast, which was of low-intensity, took place outside an eating joint called Coconut Grove restaurant in busy Church Street area. The IED wrapped in a plastic bag and suspected to have been placed in a bushy plant went off around 8.30 pm in front of the restaurant.

The injured were rushed to a nearby hospital, where the female later died. 

MN Reddi, Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru City, confirmed to the media that the blast was of low-intensity.

Confirming the death of the women he said, "Unfortunately the lady named Bhavani is no more, she could not survive the injuries, died of head injury," as per ANI.

Her relative Karthik, who was also injured, is hospitalised but out of danger. Two more injured persons - Vinay and Sandeep - are undergoing treatment at HOSMAT Hospital.

Reddi also confirmed that an IED was used to trigger the blast.

Earlier, Reddi had posted on his official Twitter handle:

One low intensity blast on Church Street. 2 injured, 1 serious. All requested to be alert & inform 100 if any unintended object found. — M N Reddi, IPS (@CPBlr) December 28, 2014

Regarding rumours Reddi said that "whatsapp msgs were circulated saying there could be blasts here and there including bus stations. Where necessary we will evacuate place," as per ANI and maintained that "no other blast was reported in any other part of the city."

The Bengaluru City Police also requested people not to panic or believe in rumours. DCP Crime, Bengaluru, Abhishek Goyal, tweeted:

@CPBlr Please donot panic and do not believe rumours. Call 100 incase of any doubt. BC Police has secured the area & investigation is on. — Abhishek Goyal (@goyal_abhei) December 28, 2014

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, said that there was no reason to panic and assured everyone that they were on top of the situation.

On the other hand, Union Law and Justice Minister Sadananda Gowda, who is an MP from Bangalore North Constituency, tweeted: "Very unfortunate incident."

Very unfortunate incident. Visiting church street bomb blast site now — Sadananda Gowda (@DVSBJP) December 28, 2014

I request fellow Bengalurian's not to Panic. We r with u

— Sadananda Gowda (@DVSBJP) December 28, 2014

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Karnataka CM regarding the blast.

He posted on the micro-blogging site Twitter: "Spoke to Karnataka CM Shri S Siddaramaiah regarding the Bangalore blasts. He apprised me of the situation. Centre ready to provide all help."

Spoke to Karnataka CM Shri S Siddaramaiah regarding the Bangalore blasts. He apprised me of the situation. Centre ready to provide all help. — Rajnath Singh (@BJPRajnathSingh) December 28, 2014

At the same time, Kiren Rijiju, MoS Home, also reiterated that the blast was of low-intensity.

A team of NIA has been rushed to the state and high alert has been issued in many cities, including Delhi, across India following the blast.

(With Agency Inputs)