Mangaluru: A bomb scare was triggered at Mangaluru International airport on Tuesday, September 19 after security personnel detected a suspicious substance in the baggage of a 22-year-old Keralite here.

The man identified as Mohammed Mansoor, a resident of Adyar Kannur was detained during the screening at the airport. He was supposed to travel to Dubai via Bengaluru in Indigo Airlines from Mangaluru.

It is gathered that the security staff detected a clay-like substance inside the mobile phone power bank in Mansoor’s baggage. The airport’s dog squad too gave ‘mixed signals’ after sniffing the bag and Mansoor was detained for questioning.

However, an explosive trace test ultimately confirmed that it was not a viable device.

Meanwhile a lot of channels claimed that the device was a cell phone bomb and the attempt was a trial run. It may be recalled that last year in the run-up to Christmas British spies uncovered a plot by terrorists to set off a home-made mobile phone bomb.

Speaking to media persons here, Mangaluru Police Commissioner T R Suresh said: “It was a self-made power bank and after through check it was allowed to proceed.”