Bengaluru parcel blast linked to personal rivalry, three arrested

The October 20 explosion at an under-construction building in Bengaluru's Pulakeshinagar area was the result of personal rivalry and not a terrorist attack, Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh said on Sunday, announcing the arrest of three accused.

Two people were injured in the explosion, which had initially triggered speculation that the blast was linked to an experiment involving an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

Singh said investigators had examined all possible angles, including terrorism, before establishing that the alleged motive involved personal enmity.

"There is no need for people to be alarmed or panic, as the incident was motivated by personal enmity," Singh told reporters.

The Commissioner also announced a reward of Rs 3 lakh for the police teams involved in solving the case.

𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱

Police identified the arrested accused as Bhurhan Ahmad Burbhuiyya (20), Jahidul Hussain Burbhuiyya (27) and Sajidul Lashkar (22), all residents of Dinanathpur in Assam's Hailakhandi district.

According to investigators, the accused allegedly planned to kill Alauddin, a security guard employed at the under-construction building, by sending him a parcel containing a crude explosive device.

However, another worker opened the parcel and sustained serious injuries in the explosion. Alauddin suffered minor injuries, while the other injured worker was recovering in hospital.

Police said Bhurhan, who worked in welding and electrical services in Maski, Raichur, had allegedly assembled and planted the explosive device and insisted that Alauddin open the parcel.

Jahidul, described as the principal conspirator, worked as a salesman at a shop in Bengaluru's Jayanagar area.

He is related to Alauddin and allegedly had financial, property and personal disputes with his family.

Sajidul, a childhood friend of Bhurhan and Jahidul, allegedly assisted in executing the plan and provided shelter to Bhurhan.

The Commissioner said the suspected motive involved financial and land disputes, along with a personal family issue, although certain aspects were still being verified.

𝗖𝗖𝗧𝗩 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲

The investigation involved more than 10 police teams, with assistance from central agencies, Assam Police and Raichur Police.

Investigators questioned more than 100 people and examined over 1,500 CCTV recordings before identifying the accused.

"We questioned around 100 people in all. Through these interrogations and the coordinated efforts of our teams, we successfully cracked the case," Singh said.

Police said the investigation was initially hampered by a lack of clues and attempts to mislead investigators.

However, technical analysis, CCTV footage and discrepancies in statements helped establish the sequence of events and identify those allegedly involved.

Investigators recovered materials from Bhurhan's residence and traced locations where components used in assembling the explosive device had been purchased.

Police were also examining the internet browsing histories of the accused for information related to the assembly of such devices.

𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘂𝘀𝗲

Singh said investigators discovered that the accused had used other people's mobile phones during the operation.

He urged citizens to verify the identities of strangers before allowing them to use their phones, noting that such practices could complicate criminal investigations.

The Commissioner also said the incident had highlighted gaps in CCTV surveillance across Bengaluru.

Police would install additional cameras in areas with inadequate coverage and ensure that surveillance systems in public places, including Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation buses, were functional and correctly positioned.

According to Singh, two accused were already working in Bengaluru, including in service establishments, while another had travelled from Maski to assemble the explosive device.

The investigation is continuing to establish the precise circumstances surrounding the delivery of the parcel and verify the personal disputes that allegedly led to the attack.