Suspected Blast in Bengaluru: Police Probe IED Angle After 2 Injured
Two injured in a suspected blast at a Pulikeshi Nagar building. Police and ATC probe the IED angle after a battery-operated object exploded.
A wave of tension gripped Pulikeshi Nagar in Bengaluru after a suspected blast occurred at an under-construction building, leaving two individuals injured. The Bengaluru City Police have launched a comprehensive investigation, with Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh confirming that all possibilities, including the use of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), are being meticulously examined.
The Incident: A Torch or a Trigger?
The incident took place on Tuesday afternoon in a building where interior work was currently underway. While some families had already moved into completed portions of the structure, the specific unit where the blast occurred was unoccupied.
According to the preliminary investigation, two men were present in the house at the time of the explosion: a construction worker and the building's security guard. Both sustained injuries in the blast. One of the victims has since been discharged from the hospital, while the other remains admitted.
The sequence of events takes a mysterious turn based on the statement of one of the injured. He claimed that he had pressed a button on a battery-operated object, which he believed to be a battery torch. However, instead of lighting up, the device exploded.
High-Level Investigation and Forensic Analysis
Given the nature of the explosion, the Bengaluru police have deployed a heavy technical machinery to decode the event. Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh revealed that the following specialized units have already visited the site:
- Anti-Terrorism Cell (ATC)
- Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS)
- Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL)
The FSL is expected to provide a detailed report shortly, which will allow investigators to reconstruct the scene and identify the exact materials used in the device. "Based on the forensic findings, we will try to reconstruct the materials used in this particular blast, if it is established to have been a blast," the Commissioner stated.
Contradictory Statements and Background Checks
The investigation has hit a snag with the testimonies of the two witnesses. Commissioner Singh noted that the injured men are providing contradictory statements regarding the origin and nature of the battery-operated object. Because of their medical condition, police have avoided putting excessive pressure on them during questioning.
Further adding to the mystery, initial reports indicate that neither the worker nor the security guard is a resident of Bengaluru. They hail from two different states, prompting the police to conduct thorough antecedent checks with the respective state police departments.
Police Urge Calm
While the "IED angle" is being probed, the city police are keen to prevent panic among the public. When questioned specifically about whether the device was an IED, Commissioner Singh maintained a cautious stance, stating that it is too early to confirm the nature of the device.
Police are currently verifying details with the homeowner and the other residents of the building to establish a clear timeline of who had access to the under-construction unit. The investigation remains ongoing as the city awaits the final forensic report.