A suspicious package was discovered near Thathaguni in Kaggalipura, close to the NICE Road junction, nearly one-and-a-half hours before Prime Minister Modi’s convoy was scheduled to pass through the stretch.
Representative image: ANI
A massive security scare unfolded on the outskirts of Bengaluru yesterday ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit after a suspicious box containing gelatin sticks and detonators was recovered along the route earmarked for the Prime Minister’s convoy, prompting an intensified multi-agency probe involving the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Central Crime Branch (CCB) and Karnataka Police.
With the recovery of explosive materials barely hours before the Prime Minister’s scheduled movement, Karnataka Police formed six special teams to investigate the case from multiple angles. Also, a threat call was allegedly made before the discovery of the suspicious box.
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The development triggered heightened security measures across the convoy route, with authorities conducting fresh anti-sabotage sweeps before allowing the Prime Minister’s movement.
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A suspicious package was discovered near Thathaguni in Kaggalipura, close to the NICE Road junction, nearly one-and-a-half hours before Prime Minister Modi’s convoy was scheduled to pass through the stretch.
According to police, a constable deployed on security duty spotted the suspicious box lying by the roadside and immediately alerted senior officials.
Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad personnel rushed to the location and, upon opening the package, found two gelatin sticks, four detonator sticks, two batteries and a matchbox inside.
Police sources said the explosive materials had been carefully packed inside the box and sealed with tape from all sides.
The explosives were immediately seized, and the entire convoy route was subjected to another extensive search and sanitisation exercise before security clearance was granted for the Prime Minister’s movement.
Investigators from the NIA and CCB questioned a man identified as Lohith in connection with the threat call received ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit and the subsequent recovery of explosive materials near the convoy route.
According to sources, Lohith allegedly made the threat call before the suspicious box was found. Police detained him within hours after he reportedly contacted a resident in Bengaluru’s Koramangala area.
Following the recovery of the gelatin sticks, multiple agencies intensified the probe and examined whether the accused had any direct or indirect links to the incident.
Officials from the NIA, Bengaluru City Police, Bengaluru South Division police, and other agencies jointly interrogated the accused for several hours till late Sunday night.
Sources said investigators questioned him from around 11 a.m. onwards while examining his background, communication records, and possible motives.
As the accused allegedly claimed to be the son of a former ISRO employee, investigators also questioned his parents during the inquiry.
During questioning, officials reportedly found indications that the accused may have been suffering from mental health issues.
Sources said Lohith repeatedly uttered the phrase, “The country is getting ruined,” during interrogation, prompting investigators to further assess his mental condition while examining the credibility and intent behind the threat call.
Officials, however, have not ruled out any angle and are continuing to probe the case comprehensively.
A team from the National Investigation Agency visited the site where the box was found on Monday as part of the ongoing investigation.
The NIA is assisting Karnataka Police and other agencies in examining the security breach and tracing those responsible for placing the suspicious package along the Prime Minister’s convoy route.
Officials said no arrests have been made so far in connection with the explosives recovery, though investigations remain underway at multiple levels.
Investigators are now analysing CCTV footage from the area and tracing the source of the gelatin sticks.
Police sources said Kaggalipura police, along with specialised agencies, are gathering details related to quarries operating in Bengaluru South and Ramanagara districts, where such explosive materials are commonly used.
Officials suspect the box may have been placed at the location during the early hours of Sunday, despite anti-sabotage checks having been conducted a day earlier along the convoy route.
The six special teams formed by Karnataka Police are examining all possible angles, including sabotage, hoax threats, and links to organised networks.
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