IED Blast in Bengaluru’s Rameshwaram Cafe Injures 9

Bengaluru: An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast at the Rameshwaram Cafe in Rajajinagar, Bengaluru, on Friday injured nine people, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said.

Initial reports suggested that it was a cylinder blast. However, the Chief Minister clarified that it was an IED blast. According to media reports, someone had placed a bag at the cafe.

After the blast, the Whitefield fire station said they received a call about a cylinder blast at the Rameshwaram Cafe. They rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. A team of dog squad and forensic experts also reached the blast site and collected evidence.

A security guard of the restaurant said, “I was standing outside the cafe. There were many customers inside the restaurant. Suddenly, there was a loud noise and a fire broke out, injuring the customers inside the hotel.”

Earlier, the police had said that at least five people were injured in a suspected LPG cylinder blast and fire at the Rameshwaram Cafe on Friday. However, the exact number of injured is not yet known. The police said that five people have been admitted to the hospital.

According to the police, the blast and fire took place at the Rameshwaram Cafe in Kundanahalli between 1.30 pm and 2 pm. On receiving the information, the police and fire brigade team reached the spot. Preliminary investigation suggests that the blast was caused by a cylinder. However, the incident is being investigated. The injured have been taken to the hospital. A police officer said, “We are investigating the incident from all angles.”