Bengaluru blast terror attack: Kiren Rijiju

The low-intensity blast in Bengaluru is a "terror attack" possibly carried out by SIMI, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said Monday.

"Definitely, it is a terror attack," Kiren Rijiju told the media here when asked about Sunday's blast that left a woman dead and three others injured near a restaurant.

On whether the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) was behind the attack, he said: "We have to see the link, if it's the same module which is working there... Possibility is there but unless it is established completely in that direction, we cannot move or make any statement. But, there is a possibility."

"We have upgrade our security apparatus, increase the level of alertness. So, we have to see that our preparation and our standard of operation and the intelligence network, everything needs to be enhanced," Rijiju said.

On a question if such attacks were anticipated ahead of US President Barack Obama's visit to India, he said: "There is nothing called anticipation. These are something which nobody desires to see, but when it has happened, it is definitely a case of concern."

Meanwhile, union Home Minister Rajanth Singh held a meeting with the senior officials of investigating agencies at his office here.

A home ministry official told IANS that Singh will review the security arrangements and also discuss the situations after the Bengaluru blast.

"During the meeting they will also discuss on the possibilities of handing over the case to National Investigating Agency," said the official, adding that two NIA officials have already reached Bengaluru.