Two ignited crude bombs — gelatin sticks inserted in bottles filled with petrol — were found in a KSRTC bus at the bus stand here at 4.30 pm on Wednesday. The bus was going to Madikeri from Harihar.
A passenger, Santhosh, noticed smoke coming out of cardboard box kept under a seat and immediately alerted the conductor and the driver. They found ignited gelatin sticks and removed them from the box.
Somwarpet police, who have registered a case, said if the gelatin sticks had not been removed, they could have exploded in about half an hour. District Minister M P Appachu Ranjan said it was the handiwork of some miscreants who wanted to disturb peace. He said the police would take stringent action against the culprits and appealed to the people not to panic.