A high intensity blast near Karnataka BJP office in Bangalore has injured at least 16 people, including eight police personnel. The incident happened at around 10.20 am.

The City Police Commissioner Raghavendra Auradkar told media persons that it is too early to say it was a terrorist attack and investigations have begun.

The Director General of Police Lalrokhuma Pachau has however confirmed that explosive was used in the blast. It is suspected that timer was used to trigger the explosion in a bike parked between cars, two wheelers and a police van.

The blast has caused severe damage to the vehicles parked next to it. Several vehicles, including a police van, were gutted in the explosion that also damaged some houses in the vicinity, Bomb squads and disaster management teams have rushed to the spot.

The Centre has appealed for calm and to ensure that peace is maintained in Karnataka following the blast.

Talking to reporters in New Delhi today,Minister of State for Home, R P N Singh said, the government will extend all help to the State Police in the case and asked people not to pay heed to any rumours. He said, a team of experts along with police officials, are present at the blast site looking at all possibilities.

He said, as and when more information is received, a detailed report will be shared with the public.