Explosion in Mangaluru auto an 'act of terror': Karnataka DGP

The explosion inside a moving autorickshaw near a police station in Mangaluru was triggered by explosives concealed in a cooker and it is an act of terror intended to cause damage, Karnataka director general of police, Praveen Sood said on Sunday.

The suspect, who was the passenger in that vehicle had terror links, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said and added that sleuths of the National Investigation Agency and Intelligence Bureau have joined the Karnataka police in investigation.

According to preliminary probe, it appeared to be a low intensity improvised explosive device and further investigation would bring out more details, Bommai told reporters in Bengaluru.

The chances of a Tamil Nadu link also surfaced as it has now emerged that the suspect was in possession of two fake Aadhaar cards, one with an address from TN, and another with a Hubballi address.

According to police sources, an explosives laden cooker, fitted with a detonator, wires and batteries were used to trigger the blast and mangled pieces of these have been recovered from the spot.

After the explosion near a police station in Mangaluru, the driver and passenger (suspect) were injured and the autorickshaw's interior portion was badly damaged.

Special police teams have fanned out to places including Coimbatore as part of the investigation.

The suspect had used a mobile phone that had a SIM card obtained using the Tamil Nadu address, sources said.

In a tweet, the DGP said: "It's confirmed now. The blast is not accidental but an act of terror with intention to cause serious damage. Karnataka State Police is probing deep into it along with central agencies."

The TN police, in the meanwhile, questioned a 40-year-old man in a village near Ooty as the SIM card used by the accused is suspected to have been bought using his Aadhaar card.

He was being taken to Coimbatore for interrogation, the police said.

State home minister Araga Jnanendra said those injured in the blast were being provided good treatment.

They are not in a position to talk.

"The information we received shows that there is a deep conspiracy behind the incident. It is visible that the perpetrators had a link with the terrorist organisations," he said in a statement.

The police sources said that it is suspected that the accused hails from Shivamogga and he might have involvement in a previous IS-terror module case besides a role in the objectionable graffiti in the town.

Recently, suspects were arrested from Shivamogga including some young men who were in touch with the Islamic State through social media.

Earlier on Saturday, CCTV visuals from the location showed the autorickshaw catching fire following what appeared to be a minor explosion, a police official, however, did not confirm if it was a 'blast'.

City police commissioner N Shashi Kumar rushed to the spot and told reporters after inspection that there was 'a fire' in the autorickshaw and there is no need for panic. He appealed against spreading rumours.

When asked whether it was a blast, he said: "We don't know anything prima facie."

If he had information, he would have shared with journalists, the official said.

"We have called the Special team and the FSL (Forensic Science Lab) team to verify the reasons behind the incident. Some people have got injuries. They are being treated for burns," the police commissioner said.

The police commissioner appealed to people to not panic.

"There is no need for people to panic. There is no need to create confusion and spread rumours through social media. I will straightaway share the information with you whatever information we get," he said.