Two injured in suspicious blast at under-construction building in Bengaluru

A suspected blast occurred on the fourth floor of an under-construction building on Jeremiah Road in Pulakeshinagar, East Bengaluru, on a Tuesday afternoon, though police were only informed late in the evening after receiving a medico-legal case report from the hospital. The incident left two people injured—a worker and a building security guard—with one of them losing a finger and the other sustaining minor injuries, including burns. Both victims were shifted to Bowring Hospital, where one remained admitted while the other was discharged.

According to reports, one of the injured men stated that the explosion happened after he pressed a button on a battery-operated object, described as a battery torch, though preliminary investigations also noted that suspicious items were found in a bag at the spot. Authorities launched a suo motu investigation to determine the exact cause, examining multiple possibilities including a chemical reaction, a battery explosion, or an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

Specialized teams, including the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS), and the Anti-Terrorism Cell (ATC), visited the site to gather technical and forensic evidence. Officials stated that agencies such as the Internal Security Division (ISD) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) were kept informed as authorities verified witness statements, questioned the injured men—who reportedly gave contradictory accounts—and checked their antecedents with police in their respective home states.

Not yet reported: The final forensic test results and the ultimate conclusion on whether the incident involved an IED, a battery malfunction, or a chemical reaction are not yet confirmed.