Security alert in Bengaluru after suspicious box found along PM Modi convoy route; NIA joins probe
Bengaluru: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has joined a probe after two gelatin sticks were found near a footpath close to the Art of Living campus on the outskirts of Bengaluru, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit. The discovery was made during routine security checks conducted before the Prime Minister’s convoy movement, roughly 3 kilometres away from the main venue.
According to police officials, the suspicious items were found inside a box along with matchsticks and an object resembling a mobile phone battery. The materials were reportedly wrapped in adhesive tape, raising concerns that they may have been deliberately placed. The recovery immediately triggered a coordinated response from local police and central security agencies.
Investigators suspect that an unidentified individual may have placed the box at the location during the night before the Prime Minister’s scheduled arrival. Following the alert, multiple special teams were formed to examine the scene and track any movement in the surrounding area. CCTV footage from nearby locations is also being reviewed to identify any suspicious activity.
After being informed of the incident, the NIA sent a team to the site to assist Karnataka Police and collect initial details. Officials visited the location and gathered information from local law enforcement agencies, as the case was escalated due to its proximity to a high-security VVIP movement route.
The investigation is being overseen by senior officers from Bengaluru South district, with SP Srinivas Gowda leading the probe. Additional teams have been deployed in Kaggalipura and surrounding areas to conduct searches and verify leads. Senior officers, including ASP-level officials, have also inspected the site multiple times as part of the ongoing inquiry.
Police sources have indicated that the manner in which the items were packed and abandoned suggests possible planning, although the exact motive remains unclear. Authorities are currently exploring whether the incident was intended as a security threat or involved any broader conspiracy.
The case has been classified as sensitive due to its timing and location along the Prime Minister’s travel route. Security across the area has been tightened, and coordinated efforts between state police and central agencies continue as investigators work to identify the person responsible.
(With ANI inputs)