Pulakeshinagar Blast: 3 Arrested as Police Rule Out Terror Angle
Bengaluru Police arrest three men in the Pulakeshinagar blast case, revealing a shocking motive of personal rivalry and financial disputes.
The Bengaluru City Police have successfully cracked the case of the bomb blast that rocked an under-construction house in the Pulakeshinagar area last week. In a swift operation, authorities have arrested three individuals, confirming that the explosion was not an act of terrorism but the result of a deep-seated personal vendetta.
The Investigation: A Race Against Time
Addressing a press conference on Sunday, Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh revealed that the arrests were made within 72 hours of the incident. The blast occurred on the eve of the final day of the Dusshera festival, a timing that initially added to the tension and urgency of the probe.
Commissioner Singh admitted that the police initially had no clear clues regarding the motive. However, after a comprehensive investigation into every possible angle, it was established that the attack was fueled by personal rivalry.
A Deadly Parcel: The Target and the Victim
The details of the attack reveal a calculated attempt to harm a specific individual. The perpetrators sent a parcel to the site, which was received by a security guard. According to the police, the security guard was the actual intended target of the blast.
In a tragic turn of events, the parcel was opened by another worker who was accompanying the guard. This worker bore the brunt of the explosion and sustained serious injuries. While the intended target also suffered minor injuries, the other worker is currently recovering in the hospital after suffering more severe trauma.
The Motive: Disputes from a Distant Village
The connection between the attackers and the victim traces back to Assam. All three accused and the target hail from the same village. Coordination with the Assam Police helped investigators uncover a history of conflict between the parties.
The Commissioner stated that the suspects harbored grudges stemming from:
- Financial disputes
- Land-related issues
- A private domestic family matter that the police have declined to disclose publicly
Driven by these grievances, the three men conspired to execute a targeted attack on the victim in Bengaluru.
Massive Manhunt and Technical Analysis
The scale of the investigation was immense, as the perpetrators had used various methods to mislead the police. To solve the case, a massive force was deployed, including:
- Over 10 teams comprising ACPs, Inspectors, and staff.
- A total of 78 police personnel and over 100 individuals from sister agencies.
- Specialized units including the Internal Security Division (ISD), Anti-Terror Cell (ATC), and the Central Crime Branch (CCB).
- Support from Central Government agencies, as well as the Raichur and Assam Police.
The breakthrough came after the police interrogated approximately 100 people and meticulously scanned more than 1,500 pieces of CCTV footage. This, combined with extensive technical analysis, led the investigators to the suspects.
Roles of the Accused
The police have detailed a clear division of labor among the three criminals. Two of the accused were apprehended within Bengaluru, while the third was arrested in Maski.
The main accused, arrested in Maski, was responsible for assembling and preparing the explosive device. He traveled to Bengaluru to plant the device and then returned to Maski. The two accomplices in Bengaluru provided local support, guiding him to the location, showing him the route, and manipulating the victim into accepting and opening the parcel.