NIA arrests another suspect in Sundarpada explosion case

Bhubaneswar: Over five months after a powerful blast in Bhubaneswar, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday arrested another accused in connection with the incident at Azad Nagar in Sundarpada area of the Capital City.

The suspect has been identified as Rohan Ranjan Rautray of Patia area in Bhubaneswar. He was taken into custody from Uttar Pradesh. Prior to this arrest, an NIA team had already visited the blast site in Azad Nagar and conducted a detailed spot investigation.

Sources said the agency is probing the case from several angles, including the circumstances of the explosion, possible criminal linkages, and any potential connection to terrorist activities.

It may be recalled that the incident occurred on January 27 atop a building in Sundarpada where a powerful explosion took place. The main accused, Sehenbaz Mallik alias Mafi, and his mother later succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment.

Following the blast, the NIA registered a case and took over the investigation from the Commissionerate Police. During the ongoing probe, the agency has seized RDX explosive material.

Investigators are now focusing on tracing the source and Mafi’s interstate connections and any links to his earlier criminal cases. The elite probe agency has so far interrogated more than 10 persons in connection with the case.

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