The bomb blast near the state BJP headquarters on Wednesday was the handiwork of banned terror outfit Indian Mujahideen (IM), according to sources, who suspect BJP leaders were the target.
A senior police officer, on condition of anonymity, told Express that the evidence gathered at the spot and analysis of previous blasts made it clear that IM was behind the terror attack in
Malleswaram.
“The organisation executed the blast through its local operatives,” the officer said.
“The attack targeted BJP leaders. As many leaders visit the party office in view of the elections, the perpetrators might have planned to take advantage of the situation. But their calculations went awry since Wednesday was the last day for filing nominations and most of the leaders were busy filing them. Luckily, none of the victims suffered any major injury,” the officer said.
“It is believed that IM leader Yasin Bhatkal carried out the blast on the behest of IM founder Riyaz Bhatkal. Several police teams have already been rushed to Bihar, Delhi and Mumbai to hunt down the accused, based on the available leads,” the officer added.
“The attackers had done a recce of the spot and planned to park the stolen motorbike with explosives close to the BJP office. As parking near the BJP office was prohibited three days before the attack, the operative parked it about 150 metres away from the party office. To avoid suspicion, he parked it where many others vehicles had been parked,” the officer added.