Mangaluru autorickshaw blast an 'act of terror', says Karnataka DGP

The blast had taken place in an auto-rickshaw when it stopped on a road near an under-construction building.

Both the driver and a passenger travelling in the vehicle sustained burn injuries in the explosion, according to police.

Praveen Sood tweeted, “It’s confirmed now. The blast is not accidental but an ACT OF TERROR with the intention to cause serious damage. Karnataka State Police is probing deep into it along with central agencies.”

After the blast, on Saturday, Mangaluru police chief N Sasikumar urged the people to maintain calm and not jump to conclusions based on rumours.

The fire, reportedly, spread from a plastic bag the passenger was carrying.

Sasikumar had said the police were investigating the case thoroughly and also the contents of the plastic bag.

The Special team and the FSL (Forensic Science Lab) team had collected samples from the accident site, he had said.

Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra Sunday told the media that central agencies had reached Mangaluru to probe the possible terror links, Indian Express reported.

“This is not an isolated incident but we suspect some people linked to terror outfits are behind the act. We have informed central agencies who have already reached Mangaluru. We may get to know the people behind the act and the reason in the next two days,” Jnanendra was quoted as saying by the publication.

After the incident, tension gripped the city and additional police forces were deployed across Mangaluru to avoid any untoward incident, media reports said.