Two pieces of gelatin were found near a road linked to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bengaluru on Sunday, police said, adding that the source of the explosives was being investigated.
Police said the explosives were found near Tataguni, near Vaderahalli Gate, within the limits of Kagalipura police station on the outskirts of Bengaluru. The site is located near the road linked to the Prime Minister’s traffic schedule for traveling to the International Center for the Art of Living on Kanakapura Road.
“The anti-sabotage screening team, which was conducting security checks before the PM’s convoy moved, found the gelatin sticks near a compound wall next to a bridge, about 20 meters from the roadside,” Deputy Inspector General of Central District S Girish told reporters.
Senior police officers rushed to the spot after recovery and began search operations in nearby areas linked to the Prime Minister’s movement, the police said.
Investigators said that Bengaluru Police received a threatening phone call early in the morning. According to police, the anonymous caller warned of explosions near the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited airport and the Art of Living ashram.
After the threatening call, Bengaluru Police alerted security agencies and Ramanagara District Police. Searches were carried out at several locations linked to the Prime Minister’s visit. “Nothing suspicious was found near HAL airport during the inspection. However, two pieces of gelatin were found near Art of Life Road during anti-vandalism check,” a senior police officer familiar with the matter said.
Later, police arrested a 40-year-old man from his home near Koramangala for questioning. He allegedly made similar threatening hoax calls during previous visits by top political leaders and other dignitaries to Bengaluru, officers said. “Earlier, he was making fake threatening calls and in some cases was let out after warnings due to concerns about his mental state,” a police officer said.
But police said the preliminary investigation had not established any direct link between the detained man and the gelatin sticks found near the road. The officer added, “During the initial investigation, it became clear that the detainee had nothing to do with gelatin sticks.”
The police said that the gelatin sticks were disposed of safely, and that investigations are continuing to determine who left them near the side of the road. Dej Girish said after visiting the site: “The gelatin sticks were disposed of safely. These sticks are used in stone quarries. We are now investigating the identity of who threw these sticks.”
Investigators are examining CCTV footage from nearby areas, analyzing phone call logs and reviewing the background of the man in custody as part of the investigation. Police said the man was being questioned at an undisclosed location.
Security arrangements across Bengaluru remained on alert during the Prime Minister’s visit, with additional police deployment along major roads and sensitive public places linked to his movement in the city.
