Bengaluru:A parcel containing an improvised explosive device (IED) concealed inside a torch battery turned into a deadly trap for two workers at an under-construction building on Jeremaiah Road in Frazer Town. Police suspect the blast was part of a premeditated murder plot stemming from a land dispute, financial disagreements and a broken marriage alliance.East Division police have arrested three persons —Bhurhan Ahmad Burbhuiyya, 20, who works as a welder and electrician in Maski, Raichur district; Jahidull Hussain Burbhuiyya27, a salesman at a bakery in Jayanagar; and Sajidull Lashkar, 22, who works in the kitchen of a restaurant in Malleswaram. All three are natives of Dinanathpur in Hailakandi district of Assam.Two persons were injured in the incident: Allauddin, from Dinanathpur and a relative of Jahidull, and Sajidull, a childhood friend of Bhurhan and Jahidull. Both worked at the under-construction building, with duties including painting and security. Allauddin and Jahidull had financial, property and personal issues involving their families.The explosion occurred on Oct 20 at a building under construction within the jurisdiction of Pulakeshinagar police station. Two workers, Suraj and Allauddin, sustained serious injuries in the blast. Allauddin was later discharged from hospital after receiving treatment.According to police, a painter lodged a complaint after a loud explosion rocked the building’s fifth floor while workers were on duty. A preliminary inspection revealed that an improvised explosive device (IED), concealed inside a torch battery, had detonated, injuring the two workers.Taking the case seriously, deputy commissioner of police (East) Vikram Amathe formed 10 special teams to investigate the incident from multiple angles. Investigators analysed footage from more than 1,500 CCTV cameras and questioned over 100 people as part of the probe. Their efforts led to the arrest of two suspects in Bengaluru. A third accused was subsequently apprehended in Maski and brought in for questioning.During interrogation, police learnt that the three accused were childhood friends of Allauddin who conspired to commit the crime and shared information through a WhatsApp group. The injured worker and all three accused are neighbours.Police said the prime accused, Jahidull, is a cousin of the injured Allauddin. The two had a strained relationship over a land dispute and financial differences in their native village. An issue involving the cancellation of Jahidull’s sister’s marriage is also suspected to have added to the animosity.According to investigators, Jahidull plotted to kill Allauddin and enlisted the help of the other two accused. The trio gathered information through online web applications, purchased raw materials locally and assembled the IED themselves after searching for information about it online.As part of the plan, they concealed the device inside a torch battery, packed it in a parcel and left it at a petty shop near the building, ensuring that the intended target would collect it. Accused Bhurhan then pressured Allauddin on the phone to open the parcel.However, the plan resulted in coworker Suraj opening the parcel. The accused spoke in Hindi, and Allauddin claimed that he did not understand Hindi, triggering the explosion. Suraj, who opened it, suffered serious injuries and is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital.Police said the three accused were produced before a court and taken into police custody for detailed interrogation. The three arrested men have no criminal background. Questioning is continuing to ascertain where they procured the explosives, and further investigation is under way to establish all the circumstances surrounding the conspiracy and the blast and determine whether the UAPA needs to be invoked in the case.
