Bangalore was hit by eight serial bomb blasts at crowded locations on a stretch from Brigade Road to Hosur Road.
The blasts reportedly occurred at within a span of 12 minutes, leaving two dead, including a woman, and several injured.
The first blast took place around 1.30 in the afternoon. The low-intensity crude bombs were planted mostly near refugee settlements and were triggered by timers.
Bomb squads were rushed to the blast sites. The telephone lines were jammed as a precaution. Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa called an emergency meeting of the cabinet. The CM later said the blasts represented a "planned conspiracy to vitiate the atmosphere" in the state.
Karnataka Welfare Minister Shoba announced a solatium of Rs one lakh for the family of the deceased woman, and said the government would bear the medical expenses of those injured.
City Police Commissioner Shankar Bidari urged the people to "carry on with their daily activities without any fear."
However, as the news of the blasts spread, major shopping malls and schools were shut down. Panicked people caused traffic jams across the city while heading for their homes.
In Delhi, the Union Home Ministry said they had forewarned Karnataka about an attack. Home Minister Shivraj Patil condemned the incident, saying the government would deal firmly with anti-national forces. Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta said nuts and bolts were used in the bombs, adding that the motive for the bombings was not yet known.
Site of the blasts
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