Two gelatin sticks found near PM Modi’s venue in Bengaluru, one detained

# Explosives Near Modi Venue: 1 Detained

By Senior Correspondent, National Security Desk, May 10, 2026

**Bengaluru:** In a significant security scare, law enforcement agencies discovered two gelatin sticks near the venue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled event in Bengaluru on Sunday. The Prime Minister was in the city to attend the 45th foundation day celebrations of the Art of Living Centre, located on Kanakapura Road near Kaggalipura. Following the discovery during a routine anti-sabotage sweep, local police swiftly detained one individual for questioning. Central and state intelligence agencies have launched a joint investigation to determine how the commercial explosives ended up in a highly secure Advanced Security Liaison (ASL) zone, though preliminary reports suggest potential links to local quarrying activities rather than a targeted terror plot. [Source: Hindustan Times | Additional: Bengaluru City Police statements].

## The Security Breach at Kaggalipura

The discovery of the gelatin sticks occurred during the mandatory pre-event sanitization process, a standard protocol executed before any VVIP movement. According to senior police officials, the explosives were found concealed in a sparsely populated patch of land near Kaggalipura, a short distance from the primary entrance of the Art of Living international headquarters.

The Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) and canine units attached to the Bengaluru City Police were immediately pressed into service. The area was cordoned off, and the gelatin sticks were safely neutralized and secured for forensic analysis. A suspect found loitering in the vicinity under suspicious circumstances was taken into preventive custody.

Authorities have remained tight-lipped regarding the identity of the detained individual, citing the sensitive nature of the ongoing probe. However, officials have confirmed that a multi-agency interrogation is currently underway, involving the State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) and the central Intelligence Bureau (IB). The primary objective is to ascertain the origin of the explosives, the intent behind their placement, and whether the suspect acted alone or as part of a larger syndicate.

## PM Modi’s Itinerary and the 45th Foundation Day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bengaluru was a highly anticipated event. He was the chief guest at the 45th foundation day of the Art of Living (AOL) Centre. Founded in 1981 by spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the organization has grown into a massive global movement focusing on stress relief, meditation, and humanitarian work.

The sprawling ashram on Kanakapura Road expected a footfall of tens of thousands of devotees, dignitaries, and international delegates to commemorate the milestone. Because of the sheer volume of attendees and the high-profile nature of the chief guest, the local administration had implemented widespread traffic diversions and multi-tiered security arrangements days in advance.

Despite the alarming discovery just hours before the Prime Minister’s arrival, the scheduled program proceeded without interruption. The Special Protection Group (SPG), which handles the Prime Minister’s proximate security, worked seamlessly with the Karnataka State Police to ensure the safety of the VVIP and the public. The swift containment of the threat highlights the efficacy of the Advanced Security Liaison (ASL) protocols that mandate rigorous area sanitization. [Source: Hindustan Times | Additional: General knowledge of VVIP security protocols].

## Gelatin Sticks: Targeted Threat or Industrial Negligence?

Gelatin sticks are a type of cheap, low-velocity commercial explosive predominantly used in the construction and mining sectors. They are entirely distinct from military-grade explosives like RDX or C4. In regions like Kanakapura and surrounding rural belts of Bengaluru, these sticks are frequently—and sometimes illegally—utilized for stone quarrying, well-digging, and clearing large rock formations.

Because gelatin sticks require a detonator and a specific mechanism to trigger an explosion, the mere presence of the sticks, while highly alarming, does not instantly equate to an operational improvised explosive device (IED). Investigators are currently working to determine whether the sticks were wired to any detonation device.

Early hypothesis from the local police suggests that the explosives might have been carelessly discarded or hidden by illegal quarry operators who feared being caught during the intense police combing operations preceding the Prime Minister’s visit.

“Often, when there is a heavy police crackdown or area domination exercise ahead of a VVIP visit, individuals possessing illegal commercial explosives tend to abandon them in secluded spots to avoid arrest,” noted a senior police officer familiar with the topography of the Kanakapura belt. However, security agencies are leaving nothing to chance and are investigating all angles, including the possibility of a deliberate security compromise.

## VVIP Security Protocols Under the Scanner

The incident has brought the meticulous framework of India’s VVIP security under public focus. The security architecture for the Prime Minister involves several concentric rings of protection.

1. **The Inner Ring:** Managed exclusively by the Special Protection Group (SPG), equipped with specialized weaponry and tactical communication.
2. **The Middle Ring:** Manned by the State Armed Reserve and specialized state commando units.
3. **The Outer Ring:** Handled by the local law enforcement, responsible for traffic management, crowd control, and general area security.

The discovery of the gelatin sticks occurred in the outer peripheral zone, validating the importance of the Anti-Sabotage Checks (ASC) conducted by the local police. The ASC involves rigorous sweeping of the VVIP route, venue, and surrounding topography using deep-search metal detectors, non-linear junction detectors, and sniffer dogs.

While the system worked by identifying the anomaly before any harm could occur, the breach of the broader perimeter by an individual carrying restricted explosive materials raises crucial questions about local intelligence gathering. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) typically seeks a detailed report from the state government following any such security anomaly, and a formal review of the ASL mechanisms is expected in the coming days.

## Historical Context: Karnataka’s Battle with Illegal Explosives

The unauthorized use and careless handling of gelatin sticks is not a new challenge for law enforcement in Karnataka. The state has witnessed several tragic incidents tied to the unregulated transportation and storage of commercial explosives, primarily driven by the region’s booming stone quarrying and crusher industry.

In 2021, the state was rocked by two massive accidental explosions involving gelatin sticks. The first occurred in Shivamogga, claiming several lives when a truck carrying illegal explosives to a stone crushing unit detonated. Weeks later, a similar tragedy struck in Chikkaballapur, resulting in multiple fatalities when workers attempted to secretly dispose of gelatin sticks to evade a police raid.

These historical precedents lend weight to the theory that the Kaggalipura incident may be linked to local mining miscreants. Following the 2021 blasts, the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) and the Karnataka government announced stringent regulations on the procurement, auditing, and storage of explosive materials. However, a thriving black market continues to supply marginal miners, posing a persistent collateral security risk, particularly during high-profile events.

## Expert Perspectives on Threat Assessment

Security analysts emphasize the need to view this incident through an objective lens, avoiding undue panic while demanding strict accountability.

Dr. V.S. Narayan, an independent defense and security analyst, provided his perspective on the incident: “Finding commercial explosives near a VVIP venue is inherently a high-priority red flag. However, the nature of the explosive—gelatin—points heavily toward industrial leakage rather than a sophisticated terror module. A trained operative aiming to target a highly secured motorcade would rely on more stable, high-yield materials with remote triggering capabilities. That said, the fact that an unauthorized individual was loitering with restricted materials near a sanitized zone indicates a gap in the outer perimeter intelligence.”

Former police officials echo this sentiment, stressing the need for better regulation of the commercial explosives supply chain. “The real threat here is the ease with which local elements can procure gelatin. If poor quarry workers can access it, malicious actors can too. The focus of the investigation must trace the batch numbers of these sticks back to the manufacturer to expose the supply chain leak,” stated a former Director General of Karnataka Police. [Source: Independent Security Analysis, 2026].

## Political and Administrative Repercussions

The incident has sparked a predictable flurry of political discourse, with opposition leaders questioning the state’s law and order machinery. Ensuring the absolute safety of the Prime Minister is a shared responsibility between the central agencies and the host state government.

The Karnataka Home Ministry has assured the public and the central government of full cooperation in the investigation. Authorities have initiated a parallel audit of all stone quarries and construction sites within a 50-kilometer radius of the Kaggalipura belt. Special teams have been tasked with cross-verifying the inventory records of all licensed explosive magazine holders in the district to trace the missing sticks.

Furthermore, the local administration is likely to face administrative reshuffles if the preliminary inquiry reveals lapses in beat policing or a failure to crack down on known illegal quarry operators in the Kanakapura corridor prior to the PM’s visit.

## Conclusion: Key Takeaways and Future Outlook

The recovery of gelatin sticks near Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s venue in Bengaluru serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable variables in VVIP security. While the successful detection of the materials underscores the robust nature of the pre-event sanitization protocols, it also highlights the chronic regional issue of unregulated commercial explosives.

**Key Takeaways from the Incident:**
* **Protocol Success:** The Anti-Sabotage Checks (ASC) functioned exactly as designed, preempting any potential threat well before the VVIP’s arrival.
* **Ongoing Investigation:** The detention of one suspect offers a critical lead. Authorities are focused on distinguishing whether the motive was intentional disruption, targeted harm, or merely an attempt to discard illegal mining materials out of fear of police presence.
* **Supply Chain Vulnerability:** The ease of access to gelatin sticks in Karnataka remains a pressing public safety issue that extends beyond VVIP security, threatening everyday civilian life.

Moving forward, the incident is expected to catalyze a massive crackdown on illegal quarrying operations across Karnataka. It may also lead to the integration of more advanced tracking technologies, such as micro-taggants or digital barcoding, mandated for all commercial explosives manufactured and sold in India. For now, the successful execution of the Art of Living’s 45th foundation day program, undeterred by the early morning scare, stands as a testament to the seamless coordination between central protection forces and local law enforcement.