Bengaluru, 25 October

The blast at an under-construction building in Pulakeshinagar was due to personal rivalry, not terror, Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh said on Sunday.

Two people were injured in the 20 October explosion, the night before Dasara celebrations. Dismissing speculation of an IED-making experiment, Singh said police probed all angles, including terrorism. “There is no need for people to be alarmed or panic,” he said.

Three accused were arrested; police teams get a Rs 3 lakh reward. They are Bhurhan Ahmad Burbhuiyya, 20; Jahidul Hussain Burbhuiyya, 27 and Sajidul Lashkar, 22, from Hailakhandi district, Assam.

The accused allegedly sent a crude explosive device in a parcel to security guard Alauddin, but another worker opened it and was seriously injured and is recovering in hospital. Alauddin sustained minor injuries.

Burhan, a Maski-based welder and electrician, assembled the device. Jahidul, a Jayanagar salesman and Alauddin’s relative, is the key conspirator, with financial, property and personal disputes. Sajidul, a childhood friend, assisted and sheltered Burhan. Police are still verifying the motive.

Over 10 teams, aided by central agencies and Assam and Raichur police, questioned 100-plus people and examined 1,500-plus CCTV recordings, cracking the case in 72 hours. Police recovered materials from Burhan’s house and traced component purchases.

Singh urged people to verify strangers before lending phones, as the accused used others’ phones. He said the case showed the need for better CCTV coverage, with more cameras planned, including in BMTC buses.