Mississauga, May 30: One of the two bombers of an Indian restaurant in this Toronto suburb that left 15 injured last week, was likely a woman, according to Regional Police Superintendent Rob Ryan.
Although police initially said that the two attackers, who put a homemade bomb at the Bombay Bhel restaurant on May 24 were men, Ryan told a news conference on Tuesday that "investigators now believe one suspect could be a woman".
"There is evidence that has come to light through witnesses and some other video that leads investigators to believe that it just may not be a male," he added.
"Suspects went to great length to hide their identities," he said. However, he did not make it clear which of the two persons captured in the surveillance video released by police, was thought to be a woman.
The pictures circulated by the police showed both with their faces covered with cloth and the hoods of their jackets pulled over their head.
While Ryan did not provide any further information at the news conference about the improvised explosive device beyond calling it "homemade", the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation said that according to the police, it contained nails, "suggesting it was likely intended to maximise injuries".
Police agencies in the region were still looking for the two suspects and "it is a complex case and is going to take time to solve", Ryan said.
Ryan said that the reason for the attack was still a mystery.
"We do not have a clear motive and no one has claimed responsibility" and "we don't have any messaging during the incident, before the incident," he said.
"There is nothing to suggest it was a terrorist or a hate crime," he added.
They also do not have indication if the restaurant or anyone in it was targeted in the attack, he said.
Ryan said that about 30 people who were in the restaurant during the the birthday celebrations when the attack took place, had been interviewed and the restaurant was cooperating with the probe.
The Toronto Star newspaper reported that Bombay Bhel owner, Mohan Nagpal, had a lengthy interview with the investigators on Saturday.
A post on the restaurant's Facebook page said: "We are co-operating with the police during their investigation at this time as we have no knowledge of motivation for this terrible incident."
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Bengaluru, Nov 15: Karnataka state BJP president B Y Vijayendra has claimed that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will "resign" before the Belagavi assembly session, which is likely in December.
He also alleged that horse-trading was taking place within the Congress.
“We have the information that some Congress top guns in the state are moving around with money bags purchasing the MLAs to unseat him. When we have the information then naturally the Chief Minister is also aware of it,” Vijayendra told reporters here.
"Since the CM and his family members are facing corruption cases, he is unable to level allegations against his own party leaders. Hence he has claimed that the BJP was trying to lure 50 Congress MLAs by offering Rs 50 crore each, to topple his government," the Shikaripura MLA claimed.
Vijayendra claimed that Siddaramaiah may resign soon after the Maharashtra election results.
Asked whether the state would have a new CM during the Belagavi assembly session, the BJP state chief said, “I don’t think we may not have to wait till that time. He will resign before that.”
“Now it is very clear that Siddaramaiah is about to resign his position. There is no doubt about it. Now the point is when he would resign and who would succeed him.”
Accusing the Congress leaders of indulging in "horse trading", Vijayendra said with 66 seats in the 224-member Karnataka assembly, the BJP is not in a position to do it.
“If there is anyone you should be afraid of is not the BJP, but those ministers around you.”
CM Siddaramaiah on Wednesday had claimed that the BJP offered Rs 50 crore each to 50 Congress MLAs to topple his government but no one agreed for it.