Blast in Bengaluru building leaves 2 workers injured, cops suspect IED in bag

Two construction workers were seriously injured after opening a roadside bag at a Bengaluru building. Police are examining forensic samples to determine whether an improvised explosive device was involved.

In Short

• Allauddin and Suraj carried the found bag to the fourth floor
• The explosion occurred around 2.30 pm at an under-construction building
• Investigators collected samples from the scene for forensic laboratory analysis

Two construction workers were injured in an explosion at an under-construction building in Bengaluru’s Pulikeshi Nagar, prompting police to investigate whether an improvised explosive device (IED) or a chemical reaction caused the blast.

The explosion occurred around 2.30 pm on Tuesday at a building on Jermiah Road. The injured workers have been identified as Allauddin and Suraj. According to preliminary information, they had found a bag lying on the road and taken it to the building’s fourth floor. The explosion occurred when they opened the bag.

One of them, Suraj, has also reportedly lost one of his fingers due to the blast.

Police have collected samples from the site and sent them to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for analysis.

Investigators are awaiting the forensic report to determine the nature and cause of the explosion.

Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge said the incident was being investigated and urged people not to pay attention to rumours until the forensic findings were available.

“It is still being investigated. Today afternoon, we will get to know. Let us see what it is. It happened last night, and let it go to the lab and come back. Until then, we will not pay heed to any rumours,” Kharge said.

“There has been a blast, that’s all I can tell now,” he added.

KARNATAKA HOME MINISTER URGES CAUTION

Kharge said preliminary information indicated that the injured had sustained burns and other minor injuries. He said the investigation would establish whether the explosion was caused by a chemical reaction, an IED or another factor.

“One person has apparently suffered burns, and another person has also sustained minor injuries. Anyway, as I said, kindly give me some time. We will get back to you,” he said.

The minister confirmed that police had registered a suo motu case in connection with the incident.

“We have taken a suo moto case since it’s a blast. We will investigate and get back to you. Whether it was a chemical reaction, whether there was an IED, or whatever it may be, we are investigating,” Kharge said.

He reiterated that investigators would wait for the forensic findings before drawing conclusions about the cause of the explosion.

FORENSIC REPORT AWAITED

Police are examining the material recovered from the scene to determine what triggered the blast and whether the bag contained any explosive substance. The possibility of an IED remains under investigation and has not been confirmed.

Authorities have yet to establish how the bag came to be on the road or what caused it to explode when the workers opened it.

Kharge urged caution against speculation as the investigation continues, saying the forensic report would be crucial in establishing the facts of the case.

- Ends