Petrol bomb attacks in Chennai suburb; police hunt for bike-borne assailants

CHENNAI: Panic gripped the Kovilambakkam area near Madipakkam in Chennai's southern suburbs after unidentified assailants hurled petrol bombs at three houses in quick succession late Sunday night. According to police and residents, the incidents occurred around midnight.

Two unidentified individuals on a motorcycle arrived at the doorstep of houses located on SatyaNagar 3rd Street, Satya Nagar 9th Street, and Bajana Koil Street in Kovilambakkam, threw petrol bombs, and fled immediately.

The incidents happened at the houses of Akash (25) of Satya Nagar 3rd Street, Manikandan (26) of Satya Nagar 9th Street, and Kugan (24) of Bajana Koil Street. Residents reported hearing loud explosions and seeing flames at their doorsteps.

Akash described rushing out after hearing the blast at his home, only to find the petrol bomb burning on his porch, leaving him shocked.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported as all residents were asleep inside their homes during the attacks.

However, the brazen nature of the coordinated strikes, targeting three specific houses within a short timeframe using the same motorcycle, has caused significant fear and panic among the local community.

Residents immediately gathered and lodged a formal complaint at the Medavakkam Police Station.

Police swiftly responded, securing the blast sites. Forensic teams collected debris and remnants of the petrol bombs for analysis.

Investigators are also reviewing CCTV footage from the area to identify the suspects and the motorcycle involved.

While the motive remains unclear, initial speculation points towards possible intimidation tactics by rogue or drug-related gangs.

Residents are demanding urgent and stringent action from the Tambaram City Police, urging the immediate arrest of the perpetrators responsible for the attacks.