At least 16 people, including 11 policemen, were injured in a bomb blast today as terror struck near the bustling Karnataka BJP city office in a crowded residential area, ahead of the May 5 Assembly elections.
The bomb, apparently strapped to a motorbike parked between a van and a car, went off around 10.30 AM about 100 metres diagonally opposite BJP office, injuring the policemen on duty. The state government has called it as a "clear act of terror."
The blast generated a loud bang and shattered window panes of some nearby buildings, prompting people to flee in panic. Jagannath Bhavan, the office of the ruling BJP, located in Malleshwaram, was teeming with activity at the time on account of today being the last day for filing nominations.
Sixteen persons were injured -- 11 policemen and five civilians, including three women -- in the blast targeted at BJP workers and its leaders, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister R Ashoka told reporters at the spot.
"It is a very clear act of terror... It is targeted at the BJP, our senior leaders and workers", Ashoka said.
The injured persons were stated to be "out of danger."
Significantly, the blast occurred on April 17, the same date when low intensity explosions ahead of an IPL match near the Chinnaswamy stadium here in 2010 had left several injured.
Ashoka said only a probe would reveal the terror group involved, adding that the state was in touch with the Centre.
A National Investigation Agency team from Hyderabad had arrived here, police said.
Malleshwaram is one of the city's oldest residential localities. Since the past few weeks, the BJP office is overflowing with party workers and state and national leaders are frequenting it for the upcoming polls.
City Police Commissioner Raghavendra Auradkar said a motorbike with an "incendiary bomb" was used in the blast.
