Zee Media Bureau

Bangalore: The Centre would start an inquiry into the bomb blast near BJP office in Bangalore which left 16 persons injured, Union Home minister Sushil Shinde said on Wednesday. Meanwhile, sources told Zee Media that Indian Mujahideen may be involved in the blast.

"I came to know of the Bangalore blast and will start an inquiry into the incident. I will also have interaction with the Karnataka government and the police department," Shinde said.

Live Updates:

8 pm Bomber used bike stolen from Andhra Pradesh, fixed forged Tamil Nadu number, as per a news channel.

7:30 pm Congress distanced itself from party leader Shakeel Ahmed`s remarks. "We all know terrorism is a national issue or problem. We do not view the problem in terms of political benefit or loss," party general secretary Janardan Dwivedi told reporters.

7 pm Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister R Ashok Ashok said that the fact that the explosion occurred so near to the BJP office clearly indicated that the terrorists wanted to cause maximum damage to its leaders and cadres, besides spreading panic ahead of the state legislative assembly elections May 5.

6:30 pm Bangalore blast was a terror attack, Karnataka Home Minister told a news channel. He said that a sim card and details of registration number of the bike used.

5 pm An alert has been sounded across Gujarat in the wake of the blast near BJP office in Bangalore today, a top police officer said.

4.40 pm Local unit of Indian Mujahideen (IM) may be behind Bangalore blast, sources tell Zee Media

4 pm Don`t politicise Bangalore blast: RPN Singh

2.43 pm There is nothing. It is a rumour, everything is calm here, says TR Suresh, DCP North East Bangalore on Hebbal blast reports

Special Secretary of the Home Dept will lead the enquiries into Bangalore blast, says Sushilkumar Shinde

2.30 pm Local news channels quote Police Commissioner denying blast at Hebbal

2.09 pm Official, confirmation on Hebbal blast awaited. Hebbal is around 7 kilometres from Malleswaram

2.07 pm 500 gm explosive used in Malleswaram blast

2.05 pm NIA team rushes from Delhi to Bangalore

2 pm Reports of another blast in Hebbal locality of Bangalore

1.50 pm Motorbike used for planting the IED was a stolen one. Police try to locate the owner

1.36 pm It is a clear case of terror act, says R Ashok

1.30 pm Motorcycle used in the blast had a Tamil Nadu registered number plate.

1.25 pm Appeal to people to remain calm, culprits will be caught and punished. The target was the BJP – Karnataka Home Minister R Ashok

1.17 pm Police confirm use of IED in Bangalore blast

1.13 pm No car hit by the blast had LPG kit installed

1.10 pm Karnataka Home Minister R Ashok reaches the blast site in Bangalore

1 pm The blast was caused by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), sources to Zee Media

12.40 pm Police officials are looking at all possibilities. At this time I would appeal for peace, says RPN Singh, MoS, Home

12.20 pm NIA team reaches spot

12.15 pm Patients with severe injuries in the Bangalore blast being shifted to Mallige hospital

Panic spread in the sleepy Bangalore neighbourhood after a huge explosion was heard outside the BJP office in Malleswaram. Soon afterwards a number of vehicles parked in the vicinity caught fire.

Eyewitnesses said glass windows of a nearby building were shattered due to the blast.

The injured were initially rushed to KC General Hospital.

The entire area has been cordoned off. Multiple forensic teams are at the spot and are looking for clues.

There was a huge crowd of BJP workers at the party office as today was the last day to file nominations.