Gelatin sticks found near PM Modi’s Bengaluru route ahead of visit; 1 detained
Karnataka: A major security scare unfolded in Bengaluru on Sunday after gelatin sticks were discovered near a route expected to be used by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the city.
The explosive material was recovered near Thathaguni in the Kaggalipura area, close to the road leading to the Art of Living event venue where the Prime Minister was scheduled to attend a programme. Following the discovery, police detained one person and launched an intensive investigation into the matter.
According to sources, the detained person was traced to a house near Koramangala after he allegedly contacted a local police station early on Sunday morning. During the call, he reportedly warned that explosions could take place near HAL and the Art of Living centre.
The alert immediately prompted security agencies and police teams to carry out searches at both locations.
Officials later confirmed that nothing suspicious was found near HAL Airport. However, during inspections around the Art of Living area, officers recovered gelatin sticks near a bridge beside a compound wall along the Prime Minister’s route.
Soon after the recovery, the caller was taken into custody for questioning.
Police probe possible links
Senior police officers, including a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), began interrogating the suspect to determine how the explosive material reached the location and whether anyone else was involved.
Investigators were also trying to establish who may have supplied the gelatin sticks and whether the suspect had been instructed to place them near the route. As part of the inquiry, police questioned the suspect’s parents as well.
Previous threat calls under scanner
Investigators stated that the man had allegedly made similar threat calls during earlier VIP visits to Bengaluru. On those occasions, he was reportedly detained and later released after police concluded that he had mental health issues.
This time, however, authorities are treating the incident with greater seriousness because explosive material was actually recovered following the warning call.
Police suspect that two gelatin sticks may have been intentionally thrown near the route. Officers are also examining whether additional individuals played any role in the incident.
Investigators are further probing whether the explosives had any connection to people opposed to the Art of Living organisation.
Police confirmed that the gelatin sticks were detected before the Prime Minister’s movement through the area. Officials added that the investigation remains ongoing.