In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Bengaluru's Rameshwaram cafe, nestled in the bustling area of Whitefield, became the site of a harrowing incident. Disturbing CCTV footage has surfaced from the Rameshwaram cafe in Bengaluru’s Whitefield, showing a typically busy day at the well-known venue, followed by an explosion that left at least one woman lying on the floor and numerous other people running for their lives hours after the bomb blast that injured at least nine people. The footage, capturing a day that started like any other at the cafe, took a tragic turn at approximately 12:30 pm on 1st March. The cafe, usually a hub of laughter and chatter, was shaken by an explosion, the aftermath of which was chaos and panic.

Koo App CCTV footage of IED blast in #RameshwaramCafe in #Bengaluru, #Karnataka. This is not an LPG blast!! Cafe owner confirmed that it was a blast from an unknown bag & not an accidental explosion from cylinders. The free loaders have gifted this to Karnataka. Join | t.me/SatyaagrahIndia View attached media content - Satyaagrah (@SatyaagrahIndia) 1 Mar 2024

Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah shed light on the incident, confirming the use of Low-intensity Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the explosion. This revelation pivoted the investigation's direction, as it was initially speculated to be a cylinder blast. However, the confirmation of a bomb blast with potential terror links has intensified the gravity of the situation.

The closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, a silent witness to the tragedy, captured the moments leading up to and following the devastating event. Positioned above a counter, the camera recorded a scene that was a stark contrast to the horror that would soon unfold. A waiter is ready to place a meal on the counter while customers are waiting for a table when the explosion tears through part of the cafe. The explosion sent debris flying, causing a cloud of dust and panic to envelop the room. As the dust settled, a grim sight was revealed: a female is spotted on the floor while another person tumbles while trying to get away. The footage showed the resilience and the instinct to survive, as afterwards, she turns and tries to stand up, but fails.

After the explosion at the Rameshwaram cafe in Bengaluru, the scene quickly turned from a normal day into one of chaos and urgency. Servers who were just moments before attending to customers found themselves amidst a horrifying situation as the explosion not only caused immediate destruction but also left many injured. The impact was so severe that it resulted in torn clothes and wounds for several individuals present. Emergency services, including the police and Fire Brigade, promptly arrived at the site, ensuring the injured were taken to hospitals for medical attention and securing the area for further investigation.

In the wake of this incident, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is set to inspect the explosion site in Kundalahalli, following the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). The site became a focus of activity as teams from the police, fire department, forensics, and bomb disposal squad were deployed to analyze the aftermath. Their investigation efforts were watched closely by local residents, who were drawn to the scene by the visible damage, including broken glass and furniture scattered across the cafe. The arrival of forensic specialists and a dog squad marked a significant step in collecting evidence and clues about the explosion's cause.

Koo App South Indian #RameshwaramCafe founded by CV #DivyaRao, #RaghavendraRao was blown up today in #Bengaluru And It's Friday You know who it would be #RameshwaramCafe View attached media content - Satyaagrah (@SatyaagrahIndia) 1 Mar 2024

Central to the investigation are critical insights shared by sources close to the inquiry: "An IED was used to cause the low-intensity blast. It has been recovered from the spot. Many suspects are on the radar," pointing to a deliberate act of violence. The investigation is primarily exploring two angles: the possibility of corporate competition and the threat of terrorism. The success of the cafe has not gone unnoticed, leading to concerns about rivalries within the business sector. "The eatery chain was doing good business. Signals were picked last week that rivals may try to tarnish their image," further suggests that the motive behind the attack might be rooted in a desire to harm the cafe's reputation and business.

arlier in the day, confusion and concern spread rapidly after an incident at the Rameshwaram cafe in Bengaluru. Initially believed to be a cylinder explosion, the event prompted an immediate response. "We received a call about a cylinder blast in Rameshwaram cafe. Immediately, a fire engine was rushed to the spot. The incident occurred between 1.30 and 2 pm. We are probing it from all angles," stated a police official, highlighting the urgency with which the authorities responded to the crisis. This initial belief, however, was soon corrected as further investigation revealed the true nature of the explosion.

Karnataka's Chief Minister provided a crucial update, shedding more light on the circumstances surrounding the incident. "We have learnt that someone had kept a bag there. We are examining the CCTV footage. We are still investigating. Police are at the spot. It was a low-intensity blast." This revelation pointed to a deliberate act, moving the investigation towards identifying those responsible. Adding to the intrigue, it was mentioned that the suspect had casually had breakfast at the cafe before leaving behind the bag, which contained the explosive device.

Further details emerged as it was clarified that no additional explosives were found on the premises, aside from the one in the discovered bag. This piece of information was crucial in narrowing down the focus of the investigation. The Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, also revealed a curious detail about the suspect's actions, noting that "The person who put the bag inside the cafe, according to Siddarmaiah, stole a token from the cash register." This led to further inquiries, with the cashier being interrogated to gather more insights into the incident.

When pressed on whether this explosion could be linked to a terrorist act, the Chief Minister maintained a cautious stance. "It’s unknown and investigations are in progress," he responded, indicating that while the investigation was thorough, the motive and nature of the act remained undetermined at this stage.

Reflecting on the incident, the Chief Minister remarked on the nature and implications of the blast. "It was not a large-scale blast, it was an improvised explosive blast. Such things have happened earlier too, it should not happen. Let’s see what it is. In recent times, such blasts have not taken place other than the incident in Mangaluru during BJP rule. This is the first such incident during our government." This statement places the event within a broader context of security concerns in the region, underscoring the rarity and seriousness of such incidents under the current administration.

Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has provided significant updates on the investigation into the blast at the Rameshwaram cafe in Bengaluru. With the authorities delving deeper into the incident, a critical piece of evidence has come to light through the surveillance system at the venue. Siddaramaiah stated, "CCTV footage from the cafe is being examined. It has come to be known that someone had left a bag at the cafe. The accused in the incident will be punished," while addressing the media in Mysuru. 

The blast resulted in injuries to both patrons and staff, but thankfully, none of the injuries were deemed critical. Among those affected were hotel employee Farooq, aged 19, an Amazon employee aged 23, Mohan (41), Nagashree (35), Momi (30), Balaram Krishnan (31), Navya (25), and Srinivas (67), totaling nine individuals who suffered due to the explosion. This detail sheds light on the human impact of the event, highlighting the diverse group of people caught in this unfortunate incident.

In addition to the ongoing official investigation, Bharatiya Janta Party Lok Sabha MP Tejaswi Surya has contributed to the discourse surrounding the blast. After a conversation with the cafe's owner, Surya shared insights that further dispelled any doubts about the cause of the explosion. "Just spoke to Rameshwaram Café founder Sri Nagaraj about the blast in his restaurant. He informed me that the blast occurred because of a bag that was left by a customer and not any cylinder explosion. One of their employees is injured. It seems to be a clear case of a bomb blast," he communicated via social media.

In the aftermath of the explosion at the Rameshwaram cafe, authorities have taken significant measures to ensure a comprehensive investigation can proceed unhindered. The immediate area surrounding the incident has been cordoned off, a standard procedure that allows investigators to meticulously examine the site for evidence without external disturbances.

This incident takes on additional significance in light of Bengaluru's history with extremism. The city has been proactive in countering threats posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), a globally recognized terrorist organization. Efforts by security forces have led to the neutralization of numerous ISIS modules in Bengaluru, significantly reducing the threat level by eliminating many ISIS agents who were previously active in the area. This context is crucial for understanding the security landscape in Bengaluru and the measures taken by authorities to maintain public safety against the backdrop of global terrorism challenges.