Bengaluru police recovered two gelatin sticks on a footpath near the route of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's convoy on Sunday [1].
The discovery of explosive materials along a high-profile security route underscores the persistent threat of improvised explosive devices and the volatility of security logistics during prime ministerial visits.
Authorities found the materials in Tataguni, located approximately three km [2] from the Art of Living Centre venue on the outskirts of Bengaluru. The recovery occurred roughly half an hour [3] before the Prime Minister's convoy passed through the area [3].
Police officials said the discovery triggered an immediate security alert and a subsequent investigation into the origin of the sticks. The materials are known to be used in the construction of improvised explosive devices [4].
According to investigators, a threat call prompted the authorities to launch the probe [4]. Security measures were heightened across the region to ensure the safety of the Prime Minister and the attendees at the event.
Bengaluru police are currently working to trace the source of the explosives. The investigation is focusing on how the materials were transported to the footpath, and whether the threat call was linked to a coordinated effort to disrupt the visit [1].
“Two gelatin sticks were recovered on a footpath near the route of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's convoy.”
The timing of the discovery—just 30 minutes before the convoy's arrival—suggests a narrow window of failure for a potential attack or a deliberate attempt to create panic. The use of gelatin sticks, which are stable but powerful explosives, indicates a level of technical intent that requires police to determine if the materials were sourced locally or smuggled into Karnataka.
