New Delhi, 12 May (H.S.): Authorities have deepened their investigation into a potential security breach after explosive gelatin sticks were discovered along a route Prime Minister Narendra Modi traversed during his recent visit to the city, sources familiar with the matter indicate.

The incident unfolded on Sunday ahead of Modi's attendance at the Art of Living Foundation's 45th anniversary event near Kanakapura Road. During routine route sanitization, police recovered two gelatin sticks commonly used in quarrying from a roadside location near Kuppareddy Kere, close to Thathaguni Estate, approximately 2-3 kilometers from the venue.

Accompanying the sticks were reports of batteries, wires, and a rudimentary circuit-like assembly in a cardboard box, fueling initial concerns over an attempted improvised explosive device, though officials stressed the setup was non-functional for detonation.

A contemporaneous hoax threat call to Koramangala Police Station heightened tensions, with the caller alleging blasts near HAL Airport and the ashram; the suspect, identified as Lohit from Koramangala, was swiftly detained, but no direct connection to the explosives has surfaced.

Karnataka Police, led by Kaggalipura station and DIG S. Girish, neutralized the materials safely and launched multi-pronged inquiries, including CCTV analysis, call record scrutiny, and checks on nearby quarrying activities.

While the National Investigation Agency monitors externally, no evidence of a broader terror plot has emerged, with probes exploring motives from panic inducement to event disruption, potentially tied to local grievances against the foundation.

Security remains elevated, underscoring persistent vigilance around high-profile visits.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar