Kerala Blasts: Accessed CCTV footage shows suspect leaving house moments before explosion

Republic TV accessed the exclusive video of the suspect who committed multiple explosions at a prayer meeting of Jehovah's Witnesses in the Kalamassery area of Kerala's Kochi on Sunday morning. 

As per the accessed the CCTV footage, the suspect can be seen leaving his residence on his white-coloured scooter at 4:58 am on October 29. He was seen carrying a bag which was placed in front of his vehicle. The suspect then reached the Exhibition Centre at 7:30 am and later detonated two IEDs at around 9:40 am. 

After the explosion, he managed to leave the blast site and headed towards Thrissur where he checked in at a hotel. He later surrendered at the Kodakara police station in Thrissur. The suspect identified as Dominic Martin posted a video on Facebook later on Sunday, claiming responsibility for the attacks.

Meanwhile, the death toll in the twin blasts at the Zamra International Convention and Exhibition Centre rose to three after a 12-year-old girl, identified as Libina from Malayattoor, succumbed to her injuries in the early hours of Monday. 

Earlier, two women who were participating in the prayer convention of the Christian group, Jehovah's Witnesses, died after Sunday's blasts. According to the police, preliminary investigation suggests that IEDs (improvised explosive devices) were used to trigger the blasts. Following the incidents, Chief Minister Vijayan announced a 20-member probe team to investigate the matter.

Kerala CM visits blast site, holds all-party meet

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday said that the probe into the multiple blasts at a religious gathering in Kochi, that claimed three lives and left several injured, was "progressing efficiently". Addressing the media here after visiting the injured at various city hospitals, Vijayan said, "Doctors are hopeful. Hospitals are working with so much dedication. In connection with the investigation, what happened to Martin (the man who surrendered before the Police) has come out. The DGP is supervising the investigation. It is progressing efficiently," he said. 

Earlier in the day, Vijayan also visited the blast site to take stock of the situation and was accompanied by Congress MP Hibi Eden, Ministers P Rajeev, Veena George and Collector N S K Umesh.

The Kerala CM also said that the all-party meeting had a good response. "All-party meeting had a good response. The media did a good job in dealing with this. Kerala was able to stand alone in dealing with the incident," he added.

(With agency inputs)