Bengaluru Police said Tuesday they seized explosive materials, including gelatin sticks, from a tractor parked near a school in the city, following an IED blast at the popular Rameshwaram Cafe earlier this month.
Police said they discovered the explosives in a tractor on Sunday night during a routine patrol in the Chikkanayakanahalli locality.
The tractor was found on a plot of land near a private school. Upon searching, officers discovered gelatin sticks, electrical detonators, and other unregistered explosive materials.
“The explosive materials were seized and an FIR (First Information Report) has been registered against the tractor owners,” said a police spokesperson. “An investigation is underway.”
The discovery comes amidst an ongoing investigation into the March 1 blast at the Rameshwaram Cafe, which injured nine people. Three weeks after the explosion, a manhunt is on for the culprit.
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said last week that investigators had “in a way” identified the suspect, described as a man wearing a cap and mask, and were working to apprehend him.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is leading the probe, assisted by the Bengaluru police’s Central Crime Branch (CCB).
The NIA has offered a Rs 10 lakh reward for information leading to the arrest of the cafe bomber and released CCTV footage of the suspect.
