On 27th January, 2026, A rooftop explosion in Azad Nagar, Sundarpada in Bhubaneswar, Odisha severely injured four people in critical condition with serious burns. According to police, the four people were making Bombs illegally on a residential rooftop, a fact which was also confirmed by the footage of the incident captured on the CCTV.
Among the injured was the main accused Shahnawaz Malik (26), a known criminal with at least seven previous cases including attempted murder, succumbed to severe burn injuries on February 4 while he was undergoing treatment in a private hospital. His mother Lizatun Bibi (51), another victim of the explosion with severe burns died a few days later on 10 February. The other two victims, Malik’s fiance Truptimayee Mahal (23), and his friend Amiya Ranjan Mallick (27) are still in hospital fighting for their lives.
Preliminary investigations by the Bhubaneswar Police and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) suggest the blast occurred while crude bombs were being assembled behind rooftop water tanks. The group was engaged in the assembling Bombs for their revenge-related motives when the device detonated prematurely. At the location, Forensic teams recovered Gunpowder from the site and indicated the presence of hexahydro trinitro triazine, a compound associated with high-intensity explosives. Due to the possibility of the operation being a component of a broader conspiracy, the central investigation agency has been involved in the case.
CCTV footage captured and later shared widely on social media, shows that the individuals standing next to the water tanks on the rooftop when the explosion occurred. The video shows smoke and people in panic, offering a glimpse of the blast’s fury.
The matter has become the centerpiece of a heated online debate after some decided that it is a case of “karma” for planning to hurt others. The fact that Malik was engaged to a girl from a different religion has also stirred up arguments on social media about personal relationships and security threats. While the case still awaits investigation by NIA, doubts about motives and the presence of a larger network linger.
Ironically, this tragic incident has highlighted the risks that come with illegal bomb-making and the authorities have been warned about the local criminal gangs that deal with explosives.
