Patna, March 31: A National Investigation Agency (NIA) team landed in the city today to assist police investigate last night's blast in a flat in a residential colony following revelations that the devices used were the same as those in the Bodhgaya and Patna terror attacks of 2013.
The explosion at the MIG (Middle Income Group) Colony under the Agamkuan police station has sent shockwaves through political and bureaucratic circles. Several leaders and bureaucrats expressed concern over the "sophisticated bombs" recovered from the residential area. Chief minister Nitish Kumar asserted today that the police were investigating the case from every angle.
One bomb exploded in flat No. 21 at MIG Colony on Monday night. Two more were recovered and defused.
The police suspect a possible terror plot behind the blast and the recovery of the sophisticated bombs. The timers used in the recovered bombs intensified the terror link suspicion of the police. Senior superintendent of police (SSP) Jitender Rana said: "Each bomb had a timer device and Lotus brand clocks were used. The investigation agencies had found clocks of the same brand in bombs triggered in Bodhgaya and Gandhi Maidan in Patna in 2013. Both of them were terror attacks. The IM (Indian Mujahideen) and Simi (Students Islamic Movement of India) were involved in them."
The SSP said the chances of a local criminal gang's involvement in the blast were remote. "Criminals do not use such sophisticated bombs fitted with timer devices. Also, Maoists do not use timers."
He said the clocks of Lotus brand might well be used to confuse the police. "The persons in the flat might be working as couriers for a group as well," he added.
The officer said: "DGP (director-general of police) P.K. Thakur had spoken to the DG (NIA) to assist us with the expertise. An officer of deputy superintendent of police-rank is leading the NIA team, which also has a scientist in it."
The NIA team visited the flat on Tuesday afternoon and collected samples.
SSP Rana told The Telegraph: "The police have identified the three occupants of the flat - Kundan Kumar, Ashok Kumar and Hemant Kumar - hailing from Hilsa subdivision of Nalanda district. They are absconding. A hunt for the trio is on."
The flat is registered in the name of Kundan's father. An ATS (Anti-Terrorist Squad) team is trying to trace the trio in Nalanda. Kundan has criminal antecedents - he was arrested four months ago for fraudulent activities related to the appointment of constables.
A source said one Lakshman Kumar, the brother of Hemant, had been detained.
The low-intensity blast in the three-room flat around 9.30pm on Monday prompted widespread commotion in the area. The police claimed the blast was triggered by mistake. The three absconders were in the flat during the explosion. But they fled.
The bomb disposal squad of the police found two more live bombs with timer devices. Both of them were successfully defused.
SSP Rana said: "A large quantity of chemicals, which appears to be ammonium nitrate, detonators, a fuel resembling kerosene and plastic explosives were recovered from the flat. The weight of all the chemicals and equipment used in the three bombs was around 20kg."
A computer and iron balls were also recovered.
"The flat looked like a bomb-making factory. Bombs were definitely being made there. A terror link cannot be ruled out at this stage. Several rallies would be organised in the city because of the Assembly elections later this year. The workers' meet of the BJP is scheduled at Gandhi Maidan on April 15. BJP president Amit Shah would address it. The recovery of bombs can have a connection with the (Shah's) programme," a police officer told The Telegraph on the condition of anonymity.
Additional director-general of police (headquarters) Gupteshwar Pandey said the police were making all attempts to crack the case. "We know three persons are involved and unless at least one gets caught, we cannot say anything for sure," he said.
