Suspected terror attack leaves 8 dead in Pune

In what is suspected to be a terror attack, at least eight people were killed and 33 injured in a bomb blast in a popular bakery in Koregaon Park, which also houses a Jewish prayer house and the Osho Ashram, in Pune on Saturday evening. Three foreigners were reportedly killed in the blast at the bakery, which is popular among tourists.

The blast took place at the German Bakery, an old business establishment, around 6.30 pm. The site is reportedly located close to the local Chabad House as well as the hotel where terror suspect David Headley stayed during his visit to the city. "There have been eight deaths and 33 people were injured," said Pune Joint Commissioner of Police Rajendra Sonwane.

"It is a suspected bomb blast. So far, it is not confirmed. We are verifying this," he said, adding, "we have not arrived at any conclusion at this stage but prima facie it appears that it is a bomb blast".

"Most probably, it's a terror attack. A forensic team of the Central Bureau of Investigation is being sent to Pune," said Union Home Secretary G K Pillai. A team of National Investigative Agency officials is also being sent to Pune, said Pillai.

Official sources said that an improvised explosive device had been used to trigger the blast. A team of Anti-Terrorism Squad and bomb disposal squad visited the spot to ascertain the nature of the blast.

The injured have been rushed to the nearby Sassoon Hospital. Police and fire brigade teams have already reached the place of incident.

Earlier reports suggested that it could be a cylinder blast. However, sources in the home ministry said the blast was likely to be an act of terror. Reports also indicated that the blast occurred after someone tried to open an unattended bag at the site. Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan said the cause of the blast was yet to be established. He said he had talked to the city police commissioner, who told him that unless they examined the evidence on the scene, they cannot come to any conclusion.

It may be recalled during the 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai, Nariman House which had predominantly Jewish inmates was targeted. David Coleman arrested by the FBI in US, for Mumbai attack links, had reportedly visited Osho ashram in Pune.

- Asian Tribune –