Bhubaneswar: Stepping up its probe into the bomb blast that rocked Bhubaneswar’s Sundarpada area two days ago, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday questioned those injured in the incident.
As per information, a team of NIA officials visited the hospital in the capital city where those injured in the explosion are undergoing treatment. The team members were reported to have recorded the statements of the injured persons.
It may be noted that a team of NIA on Wednesday visited the site of the blast that rocked Azad Nagar in Sundarpada area on Tuesday afternoon. The team members examined the blast site and questioned several people of the locality.
Based on preliminary information, the investigators suspect that the incident may be linked to a larger conspiracy. The probe agency does not rule out an orchestrated plot behind the blast.
In course of investigation, the NIA is questioning several people, including the owner of the house where the blast occurred, in an effort to uncover the truth behind the explosion. The activities of
those present at the site are now under close scrutiny.
The blast had occurred on Tuesday afternoon at Azad Nagar in Sndarpada while bombs were allegedly being prepared. A powerful explosion left four people critically injured.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Bhubaneswar, Jagmohan Meena, cases have been registered against all those injured in the blast, and appropriate legal action will be taken when they recover after medical treatment.
As per police, those involved in the bomb making already face at least seven criminal cases registered at different police stations in the capital city. This has raised questions about whether the explosives were being prepared to carry out any crime.
Preliminary investigation showed that the persons who were preparing bombs are responsible for the blast, the DCP said, adding that since the persons have criminal antecedents, it is suspected that they were preparing bombs to commit some crime.
Moreover, some incriminating materials, including the explosives, have been recovered and seized from the spot during intensive search, he said.
The injured include Shahnawaz Malik, his mother, his female friend, and aide Amiya Ranjan Mallick. 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, Meena told reporters.