Four low-intensity blasts rocked the busy Junglee Maharaj Road in Pune on Wednesday evening injuring one person.
The explosions were set off with pencil cell detonators placed in a plastic bag, a dustbin and on cycles at two locations, police said.
Speaking to reporters at a blast site, Pune Police Commissioner Gulabrao Pol said it was a case of mischief and no terror act. “The situation is under control. There is no need to panic,” he added.
However, Union Home Secretary R.K. Singh said in New Delhi that it was a planned attack and terrorists’ role could not be ruled out.
The first explosion occurred around 7.30 p.m. near the Balgandharva Rang Mandir, an auditorium on Junglee Maharaj Road. Dayanand Patil, who was injured in the blast, was carrying a cake box kept in a plastic bag, police said.
He was admitted to the Sassoon Hospital, where the police recorded his evidence.
While an unconfirmed report stated that Mr. Patil was a member of social activist Anna Hazare’s India Against Corruption movement, IAC coordinator Preeti Sharma Menon denied it.
According to the police, the second explosion occurred in a dustbin outside the popular fast food joint McDonald’s. Soon after, the third and fourth blasts were reported at Dena Bank and Garware Chowk, in the same vicinity, with the explosive material planted on cycles.
Another bomb was defused by the police within the next one hour. The number of the injured might have been higher, but have not been reported as they were minor injuries.
The explosions occurred on a day the newly appointed Union Home Minister, Sushilkumar Shinde, was scheduled to visit the city. The visit was, however, cancelled earlier in the day. The Home Ministry has rushed a team of National Investigation Agency sleuths to probe the blasts.
Talking to journalists in New Delhi, Mr. Shinde said a team of the NIA and a bomb disposal squad of the National Security Guard were rushed to Pune. “I have no information of its being a terror attack,” he said.
Alert in Delhi
PTI reports:
Delhi was put on heightened vigil with the deployment of armed police personnel across the city in the wake of the Pune blasts.
Roads were barricaded and vehicles checked, while security was strengthened at vital installations like Parliament and other key buildings.
The police also strengthened security at Jantar Mantar, where Anna Hazare and his team are on an indefinite fast.
Keywords: Pune explosions, Pune blast, Junglee Maharaj Road, Balgandharva Theatre, Dena Bank branch, McDonald joint
Very uncharacteristic of regular pattern,if anybody notices it.As far as I know,there was a low intensity blast serving as warning followed by slightly high intensity blast.But not high enough to topple even the cycle upon which it was kept.So, was it a warning shot or some mischievous act ?It is hard believe about existence of any terror group which values human lives to the extent of preserving it.So, was it a case of orchestrated chaos in very systematic manner? well,investigation of this blast needs to be followed closely.
very sad situation. I can't understand why innocent people have to suffer for the brutal and thoughtless act of some persons.
We(India) has enough money to do anything for safety, We have different kinds of POLICE FORCES and also these wings are headed by so called IPS officers. Why can not we Prevent such incidents? We are good at postmurtms but utter failed in STOP or encouter such terrorists on the spot. WHY? Is STATE completely FAILED? What is the root cause? How long common man or innocent suffer like this?
When will India be a country , which has security for its own citizens.
why always only we have to suffer , we only have conversations unwanted comments , pulling each other legs rather than finding out a final solution for a problems. Nothing want to say more.......
What a shame on humanity what this people are going to get with this innocents
blood
It is mentioned that Home Minister Mr.P. Chidambaram is being shifted to Finance. I feel that this this is not the right time to shift him. He is very efficient and tough. Terrorism in different forms is on the rise in different regions and Mr. Chidambaram is the right person to put down this activity with an iron hand.
Yet another blast,God!Its a big mess.No place now is a safer one to live
at.These mishaps forces me to think of my place everytime.Is it still
the safer one?
Security from external and or or internal threats like these are still a
matter of serious concern in the country.
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