Bombs.Galore!

For innocent people stranded at bus stops and in the main roads, it was déjà vu as a series of bombs ripped off the celebrated peace of namma Bengaluru, on a lazy Friday afternoon, with a sky full of ominous clouds and thunderclaps interrupting the sounds of police sirens.

At the time of going to press, reports suggested at least nine blasts occurred at Madivala bus stop, Adugodi, Langford Town, Richmond Town, Nayandanahalli, Koramangala, Hossur Road and Mysore Road, killing two women, and injuring more than twenty.

It is too early to speak about the identity of the terrorists but speculation is rife about the hand of organizations like Simi and Lashkar-e-Toiba. TV channels are debating about the support of fundamentalists based in Bangladesh and Pakistan.

The first blast occurred at 1.20 pm near the Mallya hospital junction, and within minutes after, a series of similar blasts were reported from several parts of the city. The second blast happened at 1.25 pm at Nayandahalli, near RV Dental College, followed by one at Adugodi at 1.40 pm, in Koramangala at 2.10 pm, Richmond Circle at 2.35 pm and the last blast was reported about half an hour later.

It is said that all the blasts were triggered off by using a timer and a mobile and so may have been the handiwork of a single group.

Venkatachalam, an eye-witness who was at the scene of the first blast told TWB that the sound was like that of a transformer bursting. "There was really no panic when it happened. No one was hurt and people went about as usual. It was only after a police squad team rushed that people got panicky."

According to police sources, preliminary findings suggest that crude bombs were used that were triggered off by timers. Nuts and bolts were used in the bombs to create maximum impact. Police sources also said there was some evidence of urea and ammonium nitrate which are the key components for a high intensity blast.

Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa convened an emergency Cabinet meeting to assess the situation and has ordered a high-level probe. The BJP has condemned the terror attack, blaming the Congress party's soft approach towards terrorism.

Media reports quoted UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi saying the attack on Bangalore was shameful and cowardly. Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil also described it as an act of terrorism and promised full support to the state government.

Senior BJP leader Katta Subramanya Naidu along with other party MLAs rushed to the spot and appealed to the people to be calm and not panic. They also urged the people not to be wary of rumour mongers who were out to create panic in the city.

Official sources stated that the injured would be paid a compensation of Rs 25,000-50,000.
Within a few hours of the blasts, all the mobile networks got jammed in the city and commuters in particular were hard pressed to contact their family members. Parents of school going children suffered a lot of emotional agony as the autorickshaws refused to ply them to their destination.

Though the news spread like wild fire, life seemed to be normal like any other day in most parts of the city, excepting the actual scene of the blasts. It remains to be seen whether this is the proverbial calm before the storm.

Right now, the biggest question people are asking is: Will there be a reaction? Will Bangalore be witness to another bout of communal riots?

While the city itself seemed to be taking the blasts in its stride - on the face of it - viewers of TV channels poured vitriol over the incident, with some of them openly naming a few prominent state politicians as the inspiration behind the blasts.

According to some saffron sources, the Sangh Parivar is highly exercised about the blasts and a meeting of key leaders is expected to give an indication of what is in the offing.

In general, Bangaloreans appear to be more worried about keeping the peace, rather than give vent to their feelings in a manner that would damage the image of their beloved city. "We are all worried. What has happened is terrible, but what will happen tomorrow? That is the larger question," said a resident.

Here's hoping we don't have a bitter answer to the question, by the time you are reading this….