A powerful explosion on the rooftop of a residential house in Bhubaneswar sent shockwaves through the neighbourhood, killing two people and seriously injuring two others in what investigators suspect was an illegal bomb-making operation. The blast, which occurred in the Sundarpada area, caused panic as residents rushed out after hearing a loud bang, with smoke and debris covering the building’s terrace. Visual footage of the moment of explosion is now being examined by authorities as part of a growing criminal investigation into what exactly was being manufactured inside the house.

According to early findings, the individuals involved — including Shahnawaz Malik, his associate Amiya Malik, Shahnawaz’s mother, and another accomplice — were allegedly handling explosive materials when the device went off. Gunpowder was recovered from the scene, strongly pointing toward the preparation of crude bombs rather than an accidental household blast. All four sustained critical injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital, where Shahnawaz Malik and his mother later succumbed to their wounds.

Senior police officials confirmed that the main injured suspect had a previous criminal record, reinforcing suspicions of planned illegal activity rather than negligence. Jagmohan Meena stated that preliminary evidence suggests the group was preparing explosives for some form of criminal use, and further searches are underway to determine whether more materials were stored elsewhere. The incident has once again exposed how easily residential areas can turn into covert crime hubs — and how deadly the consequences become when illegal operations go wrong.