In a chilling reminder of the city’s fragile urban security, panic spread at Bengaluru’s busy Kalasipalya BMTC bus stand on July 23, afternoon, when a suspicious bag containing explosives was discovered near a public toilet. The discovery sent shockwaves among commuters and renewed concerns about repeated lapses, as this is not the first time that gelatin sticks have been found abandoned in the city.
According to the police, around 2 pm, bus stand staff noticed an unclaimed plastic bag lying unattended on the counter between the BMTC and private bus stand toilets, an area that sees heavy foot traffic throughout the day. The staff initially ignored the bag due to the rush but grew suspicious when no one came to claim it for hours. On opening it, they were shocked to find multiple gelatin sticks packed inside along with a few detonators. They immediately alerted BMTC security, who in turn called the Kalasipalya Police.
Within minutes, the Kalasipalya Police, bomb detection and disposal squad (BDDS) and a dog squad rushed to the spot and cordoned off the area. Senior officials, including DCP (West) S. Girish and CCB DCP Raj Himam Qasim, arrived and supervised the high-alert operation.
While briefing the media at the scene, DCP Girish explained that officers had recovered six gelatin sticks, along with a few detonators, from the abandoned bag. He noted that someone had been seen sitting with the bag earlier and added that investigators believe quarry labourers might have accidentally or deliberately left it behind. He also assured that no additional explosives had been discovered in the area.
He added that CCTV footage from around the bus stand is being scanned for clues to identify the individual who left the bag. Police are also questioning BMTC security staff and local vendors for any leads.
Wednesday’s incident has brought back memories of a similar scare earlier this year when gelatin sticks were found abandoned in Bengaluru’s outskirts. In February, residents near a construction site in Kengeri discovered gelatin sticks left unattended, triggering panic and a full-scale bomb squad operation. That case had also pointed to quarry workers’ negligence but highlighted how dangerous materials are often handled carelessly within city limits.
While police suspect the Kalasipalya bag may be linked to quarry workers transporting gelatin sticks illegally, the fact that such materials could sit unguarded for hours in the heart of the city has left commuters deeply worried about public safety.
The Kalasipalya bus stand is one of Bengaluru’s oldest and busiest transportation hubs, connecting thousands of passengers daily to various parts of Karnataka and neighbouring states. With peak crowds, tight spaces, and limited security screening, even the slightest lapse can lead to severe consequences.
Police have registered an FIR and assured the public that the explosives have been safely removed. Additional security checks have been ordered across the bus stand premises, and anti-sabotage teams are conducting random inspections to ensure no other suspicious objects are present.
Senior police officials have appealed to the public to stay vigilant and report any abandoned bag or suspicious activity immediately. “This time, timely information prevented any mishap. But this must not happen again. We are taking all necessary steps to tighten security and identify those responsible,” DCP Girish stressed.
With repeated discoveries of gelatin sticks in public places, law enforcement agencies are under pressure to crack down on the illegal storage and careless transport of such high-risk materials. Bengaluru’s fragile security infrastructure will face more questions if robust preventive measures and clear accountability do not follow swiftly.
For now, a major tragedy has been averted, but the city remains on alert as the investigation to trace the source and motive behind the abandoned explosives continues.
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