At least 13 people, including eight policemen and five civilians, were injured in a bomb blast near the BJP city office here buzzing with activity ahead of the May five Assembly polls.
Citing preliminary investigation, City police commissioner Raghavendra Auradkar told reporters at the spot, “It is an explosion”. A motorbike with an “incendiary bomb” was used, he said, adding the bike was planted in the midst of cars, he said.
“At this stage, I can’t say what kind of explosion it was”, said the police chief.
The injured have been shifted to hospital where two civilians are in a serious condition,
Three cars and some other vehicles were damaged in the blast, B.G. Chengappa, director,fire services, said. Initial reports had said the explosion could have been caused by cylinder fitted to a car.
According to eye witnesses, a loud noise was heard and some vehicles went up in flames, sending the people to flee in panic. The Police have cordoned off the area.
With Karnataka going to Assembly polls on May five, the BJP office, located in a residential locality, is crowded with party workers and others. Today is the last day for filing of nominations.