India cricket legend has expressed his sadness after Kerala was rocked by multiple blasts during a religious gathering on Sunday morning. As per reports, one person died and several injured at a Christian religious gathering in a convention centre near Kochi.
“Deeply saddened by the blasts in Kerala. Condolences to the affected families, and praying for the recovery of those injured,” Tendulkar posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Deeply saddened by the blasts in Kerala. Condolences to the affected families, and praying for the recovery of those injured.— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 29, 2023
Kerala state Police Chief Shaik Darvesh Saheb told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram that according to the preliminary probe, an improvised explosive device (IED) was used to carry out the blasts.
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The blasts occurred at an international convention centre in Kalamassery where hundreds of followers of Jehovah’s Witnesses had assembled on the concluding day of their three-day-long prayer meeting.
Jehovah’s Witnesses is a Christian religious group that originated in the United States of America in the 19th century.
“This morning at 9.40 am approximately, there was an explosion in Zamrah International Convention Centre in Kalamassery in which one person died and 36 people are undergoing treatment as per our information,” the DGP said.
“We are examining it,” he said, adding that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) will be constituted once he reaches the site.
A police source told news agency PTI that there were three blasts, of which two were strong and the third was of low intensity.
On being asked whether tiffin boxes were used for packing the explosives as claimed in some news reports, the source said that it cannot be confirmed at this stage as the blast site was being examined by multiple agencies, including the state anti-terrorism squad and the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
The DGP, meanwhile, said he cannot say anything at this stage, and only after further investigation can he confirm whether it was a terror act.
“Only after the investigation can I confirm the details. We are examining all the angles. We will find out who is behind this and take stringent action against them,” the top police official said.
He also urged people to maintain peace and remain calm and asked them not to spread provocative or hateful messages on social media.
With PTI Inputs
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