A 30-year-old man died after allegedly detonating an explosive device inside a moving car in Karnataka, India, moments after his former girlfriend escaped from the vehicle.
The incident occurred on Saturday near Jogihalli in Sira taluk, Tumakuru district, along National Highway-48. The explosion killed the suspect, identified as Nagendra, while the woman and the cab driver, Praveen, sustained injuries and were taken to Tumakuru District Hospital for treatment.
According to police, Nagendra and the woman, an operating theatre (OT) technician based in Bengaluru, had recently ended their relationship. Investigators said the woman had blocked his phone number after personal disagreements.
Police alleged that Nagendra confronted the woman at her residence in Bengaluru's Jayanagar area on Saturday morning and forced her into a yellow-board Uber cab. Following her disappearance, her parents reported the incident as a kidnapping at the Jayanagar Police Station.
During the journey, Nagendra allegedly threatened to kill the woman before taking his own life. Investigators believe he was carrying an explosive device, which he reportedly showed her while they were in the vehicle.
Authorities said the situation escalated near Jogihalli when Nagendra allegedly attacked the woman with a knife inside the moving car. The driver stopped the vehicle, allowing the woman to unlock the door and escape.
Seconds later, a powerful explosion engulfed the car in flames. Nagendra was trapped inside and died at the scene. The blast also caused heavy traffic congestion along the highway.
Tumakuru Superintendent of Police Ashok K.V. said preliminary investigations indicate that Nagendra deliberately triggered the explosion.
Police recovered materials believed to be components of an explosive device from the wreckage and have launched an investigation to determine the type of explosive used, how it was detonated, and where it was obtained.
