NIA arrests two prime accused in Bengal’s Amta bomb blast case

New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two accused after searches in West Bengal’s Amta area in connection with the 2022 bomb blast that killed one of the makers and left three injured, an official statement said on Wednesday.

The arrests were made on Tuesday night following a search conducted at the suspected hideouts of the accused at three locations, according to the officials.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Asfar Middya and Entajul Middya, both hailing from the Amta area of Howrah (Rural), they added.

The NIA said that the duo has been identified as the prime accused, under whose direction the crude bombs were being illegally manufactured near Chandrapur Bazar in the Amta police station area.

The crude bomb explosion near Chandrapur Bazar in the Amta area of Howrah district, West Bengal, occurred on February 23, 2022, when the devices accidentally detonated while being assembled.

The illegal bomb-making operation resulted in one death and severe injuries to four individuals involved in manufacturing the explosives. The investigation later revealed that bombs were intended to be used to threaten and terrorise the local population.

“Some of the bombs that were being manufactured had exploded, severely injuring Jahadhar Mollah, Mohabbat Mollah, Moinur Rahaman, and Sk Maharam. Of these, Sk Maharam had later succumbed to his injuries,” officials said.

Authorities said that the NIA, which took over investigations from the local police in April 2024, found that Asfar and Entajul were controlling the bomb manufacturing operation, and the bombs were intended for use to threaten and terrorise people in the area.

“Four persons were arrested and chargesheeted earlier in the case RC-08-2024/NIA/DLI, in which the probe is continuing,” the NIA said.

The accused are being interrogated by the authorities, and investigations into the case are underway.

Further details are awaited.

IANS