By Sumesh Rajan | October 26, 2026
Bengaluru, Karnataka, INDIA: A long-standing family dispute over ancestral land, financial disagreements and the cancellation of a marriage alliance allegedly led three childhood friends from Assam to hatch a murder conspiracy using a parcel bomb in Bengaluru. However, the plan went wrong when a co-worker of the intended target opened the package, triggering an explosion that left two men injured, one of them seriously.
Bengaluru Police have arrested three men in connection with the improvised explosive device (IED) blast that occurred on October 20, 2026, on the fifth floor of an under-construction building on Jeremiah Road in Frazer Town, within the jurisdiction of Pulakeshinagar police station.
The arrested accused have been identified as Zahidul Hussain Barbhuiya (27), Burhan Ahmed Barbhuiya (20) and Sajidul Islam Laskar (22), all natives of Dinanathpur village in Assam's Hailakandi district.
According to police, Zahidul, who worked as a salesman at a bakery in Bengaluru's Jayanagar area, was the alleged mastermind behind the conspiracy. Burhan worked as a welder and electrician in Maski, Raichur district, while Sajidul was employed at a restaurant in Malleswaram.
The intended target was Allauddin M (53), a security guard at the under-construction building and a relative of Zahidul. The explosion also injured Suraj Kumar (28), a painter from Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, who reportedly suffered more serious injuries after opening the parcel.
Family Dispute Behind Alleged Murder Conspiracy
Police investigations revealed that the alleged conspiracy stemmed from a long-running dispute between Zahidul and Allauddin, whose families lived in the same village in Assam.
According to investigators, the two families had disagreements over land ownership and financial transactions. Their relationship reportedly deteriorated further following the cancellation of a marriage alliance involving Zahidul's sister.
Police suspect that Zahidul believed Allauddin had interfered in the proposed marriage, leading to its cancellation. The incident allegedly intensified the existing hostility between the relatives.
Investigators said Zahidul subsequently decided to eliminate Allauddin and approached his childhood friends Burhan and Sajidul for assistance.
The three accused, who had known one another since childhood, allegedly agreed to participate in the conspiracy despite having no previous criminal records.
WhatsApp Group Used to Plan Attack
According to police, the accused created a WhatsApp group to communicate and coordinate their activities while planning the attack.
Investigators believe Burhan, who had experience in welding and electrical work, suggested using an improvised explosive device to kill Allauddin.
The accused allegedly searched online for information about explosive devices and obtained materials from local sources before assembling the device.
Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh said investigators had recovered information about the suspects' online searches and were examining their browsing history to establish how the device was prepared and where its components were obtained.
Police said the explosive device was concealed inside a torch battery and packed into a parcel to make it appear like an ordinary delivery.
Investigators are examining the roles played by each accused in planning, preparing and delivering the parcel.
Parcel Left at Shop Near Victim's Workplace
As part of the alleged murder plan, Burhan travelled to Bengaluru and arranged for the parcel containing the concealed explosive device to be left at a small shop near the under-construction building where Allauddin worked.
According to police, Burhan subsequently contacted Allauddin by telephone and informed him that a parcel addressed to him had arrived at the shop.
Unaware of its contents, Allauddin collected the package and brought it to his room at the construction site.
However, he did not immediately open it.
Investigators said Burhan repeatedly contacted Allauddin and pressured him to open the parcel, apparently attempting to ensure that the intended target would handle the device himself.
Allauddin reportedly experienced difficulty opening the package and sought assistance from his co-worker, Suraj Kumar.
Co-worker Opens Parcel, Triggering Explosion
The alleged murder plot took an unexpected turn when Suraj attempted to open the parcel on the fifth floor of the under-construction building on October 20.
As he handled the package, the concealed explosive device detonated, causing a loud explosion that injured both workers.
Suraj, who was directly handling the parcel, sustained serious injuries, while Allauddin suffered comparatively less severe injuries.
The injured workers were rushed to hospital for treatment.
Allauddin was subsequently discharged after receiving medical attention, while Suraj remained hospitalised for treatment of his injuries.
Following the explosion, a painter at the construction site lodged a police complaint, prompting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the blast.
A preliminary examination of the scene indicated that an improvised explosive device concealed inside a torch battery had caused the explosion.
Ten Special Teams Formed to Investigate Blast
Considering the nature of the explosion, Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Vikram Amathe constituted 10 special investigation teams to examine the incident from multiple angles.
The investigation involved personnel from Bengaluru Police's East Division, the Central Crime Branch, the Anti-Terrorism Cell and the Internal Security Division, with assistance from Raichur district police, Assam Police and other agencies.
Investigators examined footage from more than 1,500 CCTV cameras across different locations and questioned over 100 people while tracing the movement of the parcel and identifying those involved.
Police also examined telephone communications, digital records and other evidence to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the explosion.
The investigation eventually led officers to the three accused, who allegedly maintained contact through a WhatsApp group during the planning and execution of the attack.
Two suspects were apprehended in Bengaluru, while the third was traced to Maski in Raichur district and taken into custody.
Police said all three arrests were made within approximately 72 hours of the explosion.
Personal Rivalry Emerges as Motive
Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh said investigators initially examined several possibilities, including whether the explosion had any connection to terrorist activity.
However, the investigation pointed towards a personal dispute involving the intended target and his relatives.
According to police, the accused allegedly planned the attack to settle scores arising from the land dispute, financial disagreements and the cancelled marriage alliance.
Investigators believe Zahidul initiated the conspiracy, while Burhan played a significant role in preparing the explosive device and arranging for its delivery.
Sajidul is suspected of assisting the other accused in planning and coordinating the alleged crime.
Police are continuing to examine the specific involvement of each suspect.
NIA Examines Possible Terror Angle
The nature of the explosive device also prompted scrutiny from security agencies.
A team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) visited Bengaluru to examine whether the incident had any possible terrorism-related connection.
Police Commissioner Singh said investigators had considered all possible angles before identifying personal rivalry as the apparent motive.
Although the investigation has primarily focused on the alleged family feud, police are continuing to examine the source of the explosive materials and the circumstances in which the device was assembled.
Investigators are also assessing whether provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) are applicable to the case.
Accused Remanded to Police Custody
All three accused were produced before a court and remanded to police custody for further interrogation.
Police said none of the arrested men had a previous criminal record.
Investigators are now attempting to establish the complete chain of events, including the procurement of materials, the preparation of the explosive device, the movement of the parcel and the communications exchanged among the accused.
Authorities are also examining digital evidence to determine the extent of planning involved and whether anyone else had knowledge of or assisted in the alleged conspiracy.
The incident has raised concerns over the use of an explosive device in what police believe was a targeted murder attempt arising from a personal dispute.
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