Eight killed, 32 hurt in Pune bakery blast (Third Lead)

PUNE - At least eight people, including some foreigners, were killed and 32 injured when a bomb ripped through the landmark German Bakery in a suspected terror strike in the upscale Koregaon Park area of the city Saturday evening, police said.

“It is a suspected bomb blast, but we are still trying to verify it. Prima facie, it appears to be a bomb blast,” Joint Police Commissioner R. Sonawane told mediapersons.

The blast, initially suspected to be due to a gas cylinder, engulfed the entire bakery in flames trapping many of the victims, around 7.30 p.m., a peak weekend business hour.

This is the first major blast after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks that claimed 166 lives.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan said that police are investigating the matter and relief and rescue efforts are in full swing.

Considering the intensity of the blast and the damage caused, police said it could be a bomb explosion.

Deputy Chief Minsiter Chhagan Bhujbal appealed to the people to maintain calm and not believe in rumours.

The investigators have not zeroed in on any group or individuals who could be behind the explosion, but the police have detained a cashier of the bakery for questioning and investigations, Sonawane said.

The Pune Anti-Terrorist Squad has taken charge of the investigations while the Mumbai ATS, the Central Bureau of Investigation and National Investigating Agency are also rushing teams to the site.

As per preliminary investigations, at least 5-7 kgs of explosives were triggered off by an improvised explosive device (IE), similar to the types used in the Mumbai serial blasts in suburban trains almost five years ago.

The injured have been shifted to various public and private hospitals including Sassoon, Ruby, and Jehangir hospitals, said Sonawane.

Some foreign nationals are believed to be among the injured victims since the 22-year old bakery was haunted by foreigners and is in close proximity to the Osho Ashram (of the late Bhagwan Rajneesh) in Koregaon Park.

Home Minister R.R. Patil and Maharashtra ATS chief K.P. Raghuvanshi left Saturday night for Pune even as the entire state security went on high alert.

German Bakery is a landmark frequented by the elite and popular with foreigners.