NIA to probe Bengaluru blast

Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju saidi the blast was a "terror attack" possibly carried out by Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). However, no group has claimed the responsibility yet.  "Definitely, it is a terror attack," Kiren Rijiju told the media here.

On whether the 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."

The blast occurred around 8.30 PM on Sunday when an improvised explosive device (IED) went off near Coconut Grove restaurant on upscale Church Street parallel to M.G. Road. Bangalore police have set up multiple teams to examine different possibilities and these teams would be sent to different parts of the country. Police are examining footages from the CCTVs installed on buildings around the blast site located in the heart of the city.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajanth Singh held a meeting with the senior officials of investigating agencies at his office here.   A home ministry official said 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.