A bomb exploded near the office of Bharatiya Janta Party in Malleswaram, Bangalore on April 17, 2013.  About sixteen people were  reported to be injured out of which 11 are police personnel and five are civilians, including three women. According to the police, an improvised explosive device (IED) was used in the blast which damaged several vehicles including cars and a bus. About 500 gm of explosives was used for blasts.
Background
The blast in Malleshwaram locality occurred at around 10.30 am when the BJP office was crowded with party workers and candidates.  Soon afterwards a number of vehicles parked in the vicinity caught fire. Eyewitnesses said glass windows of a nearby building were shattered due to the blast.  An eyewitness said, “When I came here, the building was almost collapsing. There was fire everywhere. My mother called to tell me that there’s a huge explosion. Something was planted in the two-wheeler. I first heard the explosion. It could be heard even at 4 km. People were scared.”
Two temples are also located near the blast site and at the moment of explosion, several devotees were on their way to the places of worship.
According to initial reports, Indian Mujahideen is suspected to be involved in the attacks.
Investigation:
A National Investigation Agency team has arrived from Delhi to investigate the matter. A National Security Guard team has also left for Bangalore to aid the police.
ABP TV news channel reported the motorcycle which is suspected to have been planted with explosives had a Tamil Nadu registered number plate.
Aftermath
Bangalore Police Commissioner Raghavendra H Auradkar said five civilians were injured, out of whom two were critical. “This was an explosion. Investigations have begun,” he said.
Karnataka Home Minister R Ashok said the terrorists had BJP leaders on their radar. “A meeting of the BJP leaders was on at the office. The terrorists have targeted our people. The government will take strict action. We have already informed the central government. We are in constant touch with authorities. We appeal the people to maintain calm.”
Ashok also pointed out  that the blast occurred on April 17, the date when blasts near the Chinnaswamy Stadium in the city injured several people three years ago.
Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad tweeted that this blast will help BJP in next month’s assembly elections. “If the blast near BJP’s office in Banglore is a terror attack, it will certainly help the BJP politically on the eve of election,” Ahmad said on Twitter. However, Congress soon distanced itself from Ahmad’s remarks and slammed its leader for such opinion.
On April 18, Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde  said, that National Investigation Agency has not so far got any conclusion in the Bangalore blast case. However, the owner of the bike used in the blast has been traced. Mr Shinde was replying to questions by media after presenting the monthly report on the performance of his ministry in New Delhi last evening.