Mangalore A suspicious-looking, unattended bag was found abandoned at the Mangaluru airport in Karnataka on Monday, with security officials saying that it contained an improvised explosive device (IED). 

The bomb was later disposed of at an isolated place in Mangaluru, sources said. 

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which provides security to the airport said the bag was found unattended. While some reports suggested it was found near a ticket counter, others said it was kept in the rest area meant for the passengers outside the airport. 

Traces of IED were found on the bag and Mangaluru police was alerted pressed into action. The airport was evacuated and the city has been put on high alert. A bomb disposal squad was called in and the device was taken away to an isolated place.

Sources said the IED had all components of a bomb except a triggering mechanism. 

The suspect has been identified on the basis of the CCTV footage. 

"According to CCTV footage, a suspect kept the bag at Mangaluru airport and was seen leaving in an autorickshaw while concealing his face. Suspecious object was detected timely and local bomb disposal team is working on its disposal," CISF DIG Anil Pandey said. 

Mangaluru Police has released photographs of the suspect and the autorickshaw he was seen leaving in.