Twin blasts outside B’lore stadium. 17 injured. More bombs found

Mangalore Today News Network

Bangalore, April 17:  Triggering panic minutes before the start of an IPL match here, two low-intensity bombs exploded just outside the M A Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

In all, 17 people were injured, one of them suffering grievous wounds. Among the victims were nine policemen. A third unexploded bomb near the Stadium’s Gate 8 was defused later. A timer, detonator and 3.2 kg explosives were found at the site.
Three victims were shifted to the ICU at Mallya Hospital, while the others escaped with minor injuries. Among them were two police head constables, six constables, one woman constable and two private security guards. Most had suffered splinter wounds, some of them injuring their ear drums as they were too close to the explosion spot. Mehboob, a private security guard, suffered a fracture on the scalp.

 

 

 

First blast

It was around 3:15 pm when the first explosion went off near Gate 12 of the stadium. Nearly 40,000 spectators were inside the stadium at this point, all ready for the match between Royal Challengers and Mumbai Indians. The bomb, wrapped in a plastic cover and flex, was right behind an advertisement hoarding.

 

The loud blast shook the place, unleashing fear among the people who were filing past the entry point. The intensity of the blast brought down a portion of the compound wall, causing commotion among the crowd.   Barely 15 minutes later, a second bomb exploded on MG Road near Anil Kumble Circle adjoining the bushes of the ADGP wireless office. This was of a lower intensity. The device was wrapped in a plastic cover, and hidden in the bushes (next to the footpath on MG Road).

The police later found a jacket and some material used for preparing the bomb. Also seen were nuts, bolts, razors, and nitroglycerine, bringing back memories of the serial blasts.
Forensic experts, bomb disposal squad and sniffer dogs were soon at the blast sites, even as the injured were rushed to the Lady Bowring and Curzon and Mallya Hospitals.

Suspicious man spotted

The constables and private security guards posted at Gate 12 had seen a suspicious-looking man carrying a plastic bag and moving near the gate. It was not immediately clear whether the CCTV had captured his movements.

Late in the night, the police took 10 persons into custody for questioning.
Based on eye-witness accounts, artists from the police department prepared a few sketches to help locate the man. A few workers supplying packed water (mineral) bottles were taken into custody for interrogation.

The explosions added to the chaos on all roads leading to the stadium, which were already jammed since early afternoon. 

‘Minor explosions’

Terming the blasts minor explosions, City Police Commissioner Shankar M Bidri ruled out any lapse in security.

The blasts had taken place 12 metres away from the main stadium. “This is a clear act of mischief intended to create panic and harm to the public and the security forces. We are investigating it and will bring the culprits to book soon.” He refused to name any organisation behind the act.

“It is a very low-intensity, amateurish handiwork only to create a flutter among cricket lovers. Complete anti-sabotage check was done inside the cricket stadium while some miscreants have tried their stunts outside the stadium,” a senior police officer said.
Home Minister V S Acharya said the blasts appeared to be mischievous attempts to create panic among the people, and that there was no security lapse.

The police will conduct a thorough investigation into the incidents, the home minister told Deccan Herald. The government is in touch with Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, he said.

Two cases were registered at the Cubbon Park police station in this regard. The City Crime Branch has been entrusted with the investigation.

 

Crude bomb has been found by police officials near Bangalore’s Chinnaswamy stadium this morning, which was wrapped in a yellow bag.

As informed by the police officials the bomb was found near Mahatma Gandhi statue on MG road. The enitre area has been cordoned off by the Police. Sniffer dogs and bomb squads rushed to defuse the bomb. The explosive device has been defused and has been sent to forensic department for tests. Security has been beefed up at all the IPL venues.

DH News