Kerala is on high alert after a blast at a convention centre in Kochi's Kalamassery killed a woman and injured at least 36 people, including children, on Sunday morning.
Jehovah's Witnesses, a Christian denomination, was holiding a prayer meeting at 9.40am at Zamra International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Kalamassery when an improvised explosion device detonated.
Kerala DGP Shaik Darvesh Saheb confirmed that it was an IED blast and issued warning against spread of fake news on social media.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Kerala Chief Minister regarding the blast. The Kochi Unit of the National Investigations Agency and teams of National Security Guards (NSG) bomb squad were dispatched to the scene to assist the state government.
"The home minister spoke to the Kerala chief minister to take stock of the situation after the blast. The chief minister briefed the home minister about the incident," a source told PTI.
Local media, including Onmanaroma, quoted police sources as saying that they are probing the terror angle.
CM Vijayan, while speaking to media, said, "It's a very unfortunate incident. We are collecting details regarding the incident. All top officials in Ernakulam are there. DGP is moving to the spot. We are taking it very seriously. I have spoken to the DGP. We will get more details only after the investigation."
Two of the injured, including a child, suffered above 50 per cent burns in the blast. Around 2,000 people were reportedly at the hall when the IED exploded.
