Bengaluru: A major security scare unfolded in Bengaluru during the visit of Narendra Modi after two gelatin sticks were found near the route connected to the Prime Minister’s movement towards the Art of Living International Center on Kanakapura Road. The incident, which surfaced barely one-and-a-half hours before PM’s scheduled programme, has raised serious concerns over a possible security lapse despite multi-layered protection arrangements in the city.
The explosives were recovered near Tataguni in the jurisdiction of Kaggallipura police station on the outskirts of Bengaluru. According to police sources, the suspicious material was found close to the road that the Prime Minister’s convoy was expected to use while travelling towards the Art of Living Ashram for the organisation’s anniversary celebrations.
The discovery triggered panic among security agencies because the Prime Minister was on a high-security visit involving multiple programmes across Bengaluru. Security personnel, including the Anti-Sabotage Check (ASC) team, had already been sanitising the route when the suspicious packet was noticed.
Police said a constable deployed for bandobast duty spotted a suspicious packet near a compound wall around 20 to 25 feet away from the roadside and nearly one kilometre from the NICE Road junction. Upon inspection, officials found two gelatin sticks inside the packet.
The explosive material was immediately secured and removed from the area before any danger could arise. Bomb disposal and forensic teams were rushed to the spot, while senior officers began reviewing security arrangements along the Prime Minister’s route.
According to investigators, an unidentified man had contacted Koramangala police in the early hours of the morning and warned that explosions would take place near Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Airport (HAL Airport) and the Art of Living Ashram.
The call immediately placed Bengaluru police and intelligence agencies on high alert. Teams were dispatched to sensitive locations linked to the Prime Minister’s programme. While no suspicious objects were found near HAL Airport, the later recovery of gelatin sticks near Tataguni intensified fears of a possible attempt to create panic or test the security system.
Police have detained a man, believed to be around 40 years old and residing in Koramangala, in connection with the case. During preliminary interrogation, investigators reportedly discovered that the suspect had previously made similar hoax bomb calls during visits of VIPs to Bengaluru.
Officials also revealed that in earlier instances, the accused had allegedly been warned and released after police found his mental condition to be unstable. However, the present case is being treated with far greater seriousness because actual explosive material was recovered near the Prime Minister’s route.
Senior police officials are now investigating whether the detained man himself planted the gelatin sticks or whether there may be involvement of other individuals. Authorities are examining CCTV footage, call records, digital evidence, and the suspect’s movements before the incident.
Central Range DIG S. Girish confirmed the recovery of the explosives and said a detailed probe was underway.
“Gelatin sticks were indeed found near Tataguni. The person who called the police had mentioned this location. We are investigating whether the caller himself placed the explosives and whether there is a direct connection between the threat call and the recovered gelatin sticks,” he said.
Modi’s Bengaluru programme included a public address at HAL Airport and participation in a major spiritual event at the Art of Living Ashram, both of which involved heavy public presence.
Following the recovery of the gelatin sticks, security was further tightened across Bengaluru and Ramanagara districts.
Although officials clarified that there was no disruption to the Prime Minister’s programme and that the situation remained under control, the discovery of explosive material so close to a VVIP route has become a major concern for security agencies.
The investigation is continuing to determine whether the incident was merely an attempt to spread fear or part of a more serious conspiracy targeting the Prime Minister’s visit.
