Home ministry closely monitoring situation in Bengaluru

The Union Home Ministry is closely monitoring the situation in Bengaluru in the wake of Friday's serial blasts, which killed one person and injured four others.

Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta and other senior officials are in constant touch with the Karnataka government officials, a ministry spokesman said.

"A senior home ministry official is closely monitoring the situation," he said.

Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil condemned the blasts in the eastern parts of Bengaluru and offered all assistance to the Karnataka government to deal with the situation.

"Such incidents will not deter the government from pursuing its policy of dealing with anti-national elements in a resolute manner," Patil said.

"I strongly condemn today's blasts in Bengaluru. I convey my sympathies to the affected families and pray for the speedy recovery of those injured in the blasts. The union home ministry is in close touch with the Karnataka government," Patil added.

Vijay Kumar Malhotra, deputy leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Lok Sabha, accused the Central government of adopting a soft approach towards the terrorists who have been targetting the IT city at will in the last couple of years.

He recalled the statement of National Security Advisor M K Naryanan that the terrorists were targetting Bengaluru and other important cities of the country. "When such statements are made by the national security advisor they should be taken seriously," he said.

He wanted to know why a single culprit had not been caught in connection to the blasts in Delhi and Jaipur.

"The government is hand in glove with the terrorists," he alleged.

This is the first major terrorist incident in Bengaluru since the BJP government led by Yeddyurappa has taken over the administration.

Meanwhile, Gupta said bomb disposal squads have rushed to the spot and senior officials are trying to ascertain the nature of the blasts.

Gupta said the state police was looking into the incident and at the moment it was not known who was behind the incidents.

He said there was a need to strengthen intelligence at the grassroots' level.

"We have been reviewing security scenario with the state government over a period of time and at a recent meeting, Karnataka officials were also present," Gupta added.

Additional Reportage: PTI