At least two gelatin sticks were recovered near a venue where Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to attend an event in Bengaluru, said the Karnataka Police on Sunday. The incident triggered a massive security alert following which the police and security agencies launched an extensive investigation.
The gelatin sticks were recovered on the side of a footpath approximately three kilometers from the Art of Living Center in Bengaluru, just hours before PM Modi's arrival. The police said they were discovered during a mandatory pre-visit sanitisation operation.
The discovery sent security agencies into a huddle, leading to an immediate intensification of the existing "multi-layer" security cover. Soon, Bomb Disposal and Detection Squads (BDDS) were deployed at the site to secure the sticks and conduct a secondary sweep of the surrounding area.
A comprehensive investigation has now been launched to find the source of the explosives and whether they were "intentionally placed to coincide with the VVIP movement", the police said. One person has also been detained and the police are investigating all possible angles, including local construction-related negligence or a deliberate security threat.
"Further investigation is underway to track the origin of these sticks and the motive behind their presence near the venue," a senior police official said.
PM Modi hails Art of Living's service ethos
Earlier in the day, PM Modi attended an event in Bengaluru to mark the 45th foundation day celebrations of the Art of Living. During the event, the prime minister lauded the role of the Art of Living Foundation in promoting service, spirituality and social transformation, and called for collective efforts to build a developed India through environmental responsibility, youth empowerment and inner well-being.
He also described Bengaluru as a city that had not only emerged as a global technology hub but had also elevated India's spiritual and cultural consciousness.
"Many spiritual movements in India have ultimately expressed themselves through service to humanity. I am happy that this spirit of service is reflected in every effort of The Art of Living," he said, addressing a gathering at the event.
