In a terror strike, at least 16 people, including 11 policemen, were injured today in a bomb blast apparently targeting the Karnataka BJP city office buzzing with activity ahead of the May five Assembly polls.
The "incendiary bomb" planted in a motorbike parked between a van and a car went off around 10.30 AM, causing injuries to policemen on security duty as part of the bandobast arrangements for the polls.
Five civilians, including three women, were also injured in the blast, which was described as a "clear act of terror" by Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister R Ashok, saying it was targeted at the party workers and its leaders.
"It is a very clear act of terror... It is targeted at the BJP, our senior leaders and workers", Ashoka said. "100 per cent, it is targeted at BJP workers".
He said the injured persons were "out of danger."
The window panes of some buildings were shattered under the impact of the blast with a loud noise heard a long distance away, according to police and eyewitnesses.
He said since it was the election time, party leaders and thousands of workers visit the party office "Jagannath Bhavan".
Ashoka said only an investigation would reveal the terror group involved and added that the state government was in constant touch with the Centre. Significantly, he said the blast had occurred on April 17, the same date when blasts near the Chinnaswamy Stadium in 2010 had left several persons injured.
State DGP Lalrokhuma Pachau said, "Nobody is critically injured. All are being treated at hospital."
A National Investigative Agency team has arrived here, he said.
"As of now, we do not know what is the material of the bomb blast. We will know after examination," he said.
