Andhra man picks wrong bag at bus station, finds gelatin sticks, detonators inside

A baggage mix-up at a bus station in Andhra Pradesh’s Vijayawada led to the recovery of around 46 gelatin sticks weighing nearly 5 kg, with police launching an investigation to trace the owner and intended destination of the material.

The explosives were recovered from a passenger’s bag at Pandit Nehru Bus Station around 1 am on Tuesday, Vijayawada South Zone Assistant Commissioner of Police K Manasa said.

"Police recovered around 46 gelatin sticks, weighing nearly five kg, from a passenger's bag around 1 am after a baggage mix-up," Manasa told the media.

According to the preliminary investigation, the passenger had accidentally picked up the wrong bag after arriving in Vijayawada from Narasaraopet. When he realised the mix-up, he opened the bag, found the explosives inside, along with 50 electronic detonators, and immediately alerted police at the bus stand outpost.

Police subsequently seized the bag and its contents. Authorities suspect the gelatin sticks may have been intended for use at a stone quarry, although officials stressed that this was only a preliminary assessment.

Krishnalanka police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the origin and intended destination of the explosives. Investigators are examining passenger records and CCTV footage from the bus station to identify the actual owner of the bag.

Officials have also urged commuters to remain alert and immediately inform police if they come across any suspicious or unattended baggage.- EndsPublished By: Shipra ParasharPublished On: Sep 15, 2026 16:57 IST