Probe intensifies after explosives recovered near PM’s convoy route

THe retrieval of gelatine sticks, batteries, wires and a rough circuit-like gathering nigh a route used by undercoat Minister Narendra Modi during his recent Bengaluru visit has led investigators to examine whether the materials were intended to trigger a larger security scare, according to police officials involved in the probe.What initially appeared to be a case involving quarry explosives has now evolved into a multi-agency investigation after electronic components were recovered from a cardboard box found during security sanitisation operations near the Bengaluru-Kanakapura highway.Senior investigators said the materials recovered from the site raised concern because the combination of explosive substances and circuitry resembled components sometimes used in improvised explosive devices (IEDs), though officials stressed that the assembly found at the scene was incomplete and incapable of causing an immediate explosion.“Gelatine sticks alone could indicate illegal transport or quarrying use. But when you find circuitry, wires and batteries together with explosive material, investigators are bound to examine whether there was an attempt to fabricate some kind of IED mechanism,” a senior police officer said on condition of anonymity as the investigation is ongoing.The suspicious package was found near Kuppareddy Lake beside the Bhairava Mandya Uppusaru Mudde Hotel, close to the secured route for Modi’s visit to the Art of Living Foundation ashram on the outskirts of Bengaluru.According to investigators, the cardboard box contained gelatine sticks along with a crude circuit arrangement, batteries and connecting wires. Police sources said the materials did not amount to a functional explosive device in their existing form.“The setup recovered was not in a workable condition for an immediate blast or detonation. No timer-based triggering mechanism or operational detonator has been found so far,” another senior officer said.Investigators are examining whether the objective may have been to create panic or disrupt the Prime Minister’s programme rather than execute a functional blast. Officials are also probing whether the materials were linked to illegal handling of commercial explosives or deliberately planted to trigger a security alarm.The recovery was made on Sunday morning by Jagadish Doddamani, a 26-year-old police constable attached to Kodihalli police station, according to a First Information Report registered at Kaggalipura police station under provisions of the Explosive Substances Act, 1908, and the Explosives Act, 1884.Doddamani had been assigned to Prime Ministerial security duty beginning May 8 and was deployed at what police described as “Sector-1A point” along the Bengaluru-Kanakapura National Highway after attending security briefings at the Art of Living ashram.In his complaint, the constable said he resumed patrol duty at 7 am on May 10 to inspect the roadside area for suspicious activity ahead of the Prime Minister’s movement.“While patrolling and observing to ensure there were no unknown persons, vehicles, or objects on the sides of the road footpath, at approximately 9.45 am, I found a suspicious transparent plastic zip-lock cover in an empty space adjacent to the forest area compound, approximately 20 feet away from the Bengaluru-Kanakapura road,” the FIR quoted him as saying.The complaint stated that he opened the plastic cover and found a khaki-coloured cardboard box wrapped with cello tape.“On one side of this box, approximately 6 incense sticks wrapped with a plastic thread-like substance were found. Nearby, matches, an empty camphor box, and tape were observed,” the FIR said.According to the FIR, Om Prakash, deputy superintendent of police of Kunigal subdivision and supervising officer for the sector, arrived at the location while the constable was inspecting the object. After examining the package, the officer alerted the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) stationed for the Prime Minister’s visit.A BDDS team led by reserve sub-inspector Mohammad Aris reached the site around 10.15 am and examined the materials for about 35 minutes.“They stated that, prima facie, it appears that explosive materials are present,” the FIR stated.The constable alleged in his complaint that unidentified persons had abandoned the materials near the highway.“It appears that some miscreants, for some purpose, threw these explosive materials near the Bhairava Mandya Uppusaru Mudde Hotel near Kuppareddy Lake on the Bengaluru-Kanakapura National Highway and left,” the FIR said.The case is now being examined by multiple agencies because the recovery took place along a route linked to Prime Ministerial movement. Officials said the National Investigation Agency is expected to take over the inquiry.Investigators are also considering invoking provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act depending on the outcome of forensic analysis and intelligence inputs.