NIA probes Bhubaneswar blast, wider conspiracy suspected

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) began probing the blast that occurred yesterday in the Sundarpada area of Bhubaneswar. Officials questioned the house owner and several others on Wednesday, suspecting a larger conspiracy behind the explosion.

Also Read: Bhubaneswar blast leaves 4 critically injured, bomb preparation suspected

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 said that cases have been registered against all those injured in the blast, and action will be taken once they recover.

Police 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 has raised questions about whether the explosives were being prepared to carry out any crime. DCP Jagmohan Meena confirmed that probes are underway from multiple angles.

“It was ascertained from preliminary investigation, spot verification by a scientific team, visit by senior officers, and criminal antecedents that the persons who were preparing bombs are responsible for the blast and have been grievously injured,” the DCP expressed.

“We are guarding the injured persons as they are undergoing treatment, and legal actions will be initiated against them once they recover from injuries,” DCP Meena stated.

“Since the persons have criminal antecedents, we suspect that they were preparing bombs to commit some crime. During a thorough search, some incriminating materials, including the explosive remains, have been recovered and seized from the spot,” the DCP said.

“Four injured include Shahnawaz Malik, 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 expressed while speaking to mediapersons.

Worth mentioning, a blast rocked the Sundarpada area of Bhubaneswar on Tuesday, leaving four people grievously injured. The explosion occurred under Airfield police limits.