Tumakuru (Karnataka) (PTI): Four men were arrested for allegedly robbing a jewellery shop in this district and stealing gold and silver bars worth nearly Rs 20 lakh, police said on Monday.

The incident occurred in Shira town of this district on Sunday, they said.

The accused, identified as Arvind Kumar (28), Dungar Singh (24), Mahender Singh (32) and Madhu Singh (28), all natives of Rajasthan, were apprehended following a combing operation in a forest area after an overnight chase, police said.

According to Superintendent of Police Ashok Venkat, the accused allegedly broke into the jewellery shop on Sunday afternoon and robbed gold and silver articles.

Soon after receiving the information about the robbery, police formed teams and chased the suspects, who reportedly blocked roads leading to villages while attempting to escape.

The accused later entered the forest areas of Mudigere Kaval and Makerahalli, where they hid. After a whole-night combing operation, police arrested the four in what officials described as a "cinematic" operation.

Stolen property recovered from the accused includes 100 grams of gold bars worth approximately Rs 14 lakh, 1.5 kg of silver bars valued at Rs 3.25 lakh, and gold-plated silver bars worth Rs 2.75 lakh.

A vehicle and an iPhone were also seized, police said.

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Kolkata (PTI): Five BJP supporters have been injured allegedly in a bomb blast in Panihati in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, police said on Thursday.

The incident occurred late on Wednesday night, hours after Chandranath Rath, a close aide of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead by motorcycle-borne assailants, which led to the saffron camp accusing the TMC of unleashing retaliatory violence.

The bomb blast occurred near St Xavier's Institution in Panihati. Unidentified assailants hurled crude bombs at a group of BJP workers, injuring at least five people, police said, adding the injured were admitted to the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

According to local sources, BJP workers were interacting with residents on Dutta Road in Panihati's Ward number 2 when a group of motorcycle-borne persons allegedly targeted them with bombs before fleeing.

The BJP alleged that the attackers were backed by the ruling Trinamool Congress, an allegation denied by the Mamata Banerjee-led party.

A senior police official said, "We have started an investigation and are examining CCTV footage from the surrounding areas to identify those involved. Raids are being conducted to nab the accused."

A heavy police deployment has been made in the area.

"We are maintaining strict vigil and appealing to people not to spread rumours. Necessary steps are being taken to maintain peace," the officer added.

Incidentally, the area where the blast occurred is located near the residence of newly elected BJP MLA Ratna Debnath, the mother of the RG Kar Hospital rape victim.