16 injured in blast near BJP office

At least 16 people, including eight policemen, were injured when an "incendiary bomb" placed in a motorbike exploded near the Karnataka BJP city office buzzing with activity ahead of the May five Assembly polls.
The policemen were on security duty as part of the bandobast arrangements for the BJP office in view of the polls when the explosion ripped through the crowded area damaging two vans, a Karnataka State Reserve Police vehicle and a motorbike, top police officials said.
"Due to the blast, 16 people are injured -- eight policemen on duty and eight civilians. Nobody is critically injured. All are being treated at hospital," State DGP Lalrokhuma Pachau told reporters at the spot.

A National Investigative Agency team has arrived here, he said, adding, forensic experts would also be joining them.
"As of now, we do not know what is the material of the bomb blast. We will know after examination," he said.
The blast occurred around 10.30 AM when the BJP office is normally brimming with party workers and candidates. Today is the last day for filing of nominations.
City Police Commissioner Raghavendra Auradkar, citing preliminary investigation, said, "It is an explosion", adding a motorbike with an "incendiary bomb" was used. The bike was planted in the midst of cars, he said.

"At this stage, I can't say what kind of explosion it was", the police chief.