Bhubaneswar blast: Key accused dies during treatment at private hospital

A youth, prime accused in the bomb explosion previously reported in Azad Nagar under Airfield police limits in Bhubaneswar, died on Wednesday. The deceased youth has been identified as Shahnawaz Malik, who was undergoing treatment at a private hospital after sustaining critical injuries in the blast.

Also Read: NIA probes Bhubaneswar blast, wider conspiracy suspected

According to sources, a total of four people, including Shahnawaz Malik, had been injured in the explosion. Malik, who had suffered serious injuries, succumbed during treatment, while the condition of the other injured persons is stated to be critical now.

Worth mentioning, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had begun probing the blast that occurred on January 27 in Sundarpada area of Bhubaneswar. Officials had questioned the house owner and several others, suspecting a larger conspiracy behind the explosion.

The incident had occurred in the afternoon at Azad Nagar in Sundarpada while bombs were allegedly being prepared. A powerful explosion seriously injured four people. Bhubaneswar Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Jagmohan Meena had said that cases have been registered against all those injured, and action will be taken once they recover.

Police had further revealed that those allegedly involved in making the bombs already face at least seven criminal cases registered at different police stations in the State Capital. This had raised questions about whether the explosives were being prepared to carry out any crime. DCP-Bhubaneswar Jagmohan Meena had confirmed that probes are underway from multiple angles.

“The four injured are Shahnawaz, his mother, his female friend, and aide Amiya Ranjan Mallick. The injured are undergoing treatment. Key accused Shahnawaz is a history-sheeter and has several cases pending against him at Nayapalli, Maitri Vihar, and other police stations in Bhubaneswar. He was involved in an attempt to murder and criminal cases related to explosives,” the senior cop had expressed while speaking to mediapersons.