Bengaluru blast; NIA providing assistance to police

National Investigation Agency today said it will provide "all possible" assistance to police which is probing the explosion outside a restaurant here that killed a woman and injured three others, as the city came under thick security blanket ahead of New Year revelry.

"Basically we are assisting, providing whatever help we can to the state police force which is investigating the case," NIA Special Director General Navneet Wasan told reporters after visiting the blast site on Church Street in the central business district.

Responding to a question whether the state police has made any specific request to NIA, he said, "...I will discuss with them, we will provide all assistance whatever is required and whatever we can give in the investigation of the case."

Police and NIA are probing all angles, including the role of banned outfit SIMI in the terror attack. A Special Investigation Team headed by Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) has been formed to investigate the case.

The blast triggered by an Improvised Explosive Device placed in a potted plant had occurred outside the restaurant on December 28 claiming the life of 38-year-old Bhavani who was on a visit to city from Chennai.

Speaking to reporters at Chitradurga, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said "inquiry is going on; no organisation has claimed about being behind the attack yet...Investigations are on; we are in touch with the central government, police is coordinating with the NIA," he added.

Meanwhile, ahead of New Year revelry, security was beefed up in the city, even as a 17-year-old youth was "secured" for posting tweets claiming responsibility for the explosion and threatening more attacks.

Bengaluru central area, where much of the New Year celebrations happens and the blast occurred outside a restaurant on Church Street on Sunday, would be under thick security blanket with everyone being frisked. Briefing reporters, DCP Central (Bengaluru) Sandeep Patil said, "every bush, every vehicle that is parked for a long period of time, suspicious object and suspicious people- they (police) will keep watch on all these things."

M G Road, Brigade Road, Residency Road, Church Street and nearby areas attract thousands of New Year revelers.

Watch towers with two policeman in each with one equipped with night vision binocular and other with rifle would keep a watch on the crowd, besides which 25 extra CCTV cameras from our police department, apart from those of shop owners, would be installed, he said.

In addition, fire force and ambulances would be deployed as part of the security mechanism under which "everyone who comes for New Year celebrations on M G Road and Brigade Road will be thoroughly frisked," he said.

Meanwhile, police have secured a person behind the threatening tweets from a twitter account claiming responsibility for the Bengaluru blast and warning more such blasts, that is now 'suspended'.

"Secured #LatestAbdul He is a 17 year old kid Satish(name changed). Seems psychologically stressed. Talking to him &his parents.Will take n/a (necessary action)," DCP Crime (Bengaluru) Abishek Goyal has tweeted.