Modi rally blast in Patna: Two held by NIA in UP

The National Investigation Agency on Monday arrested two persons from Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh in connection with the blasts outside the rally of BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on October 27.

NIA sources said Fakruddin and Ahmed were arrested from Mirzapur in eastern Uttar Pradesh for allegedly procuring material used in the blasts during the rally.

While five blasts were triggered within the rally venue, two exploded outside in which eight people, including a militant of Indian Mujahideen, were killed and over dozens injured.

The NIA, which was handed over the case, has been carrying out investigations into the case and with the help Intelligence Bureau, it had nabbed Yasin Bhatkal who had named the main culprits behind the incident.

Due to lack of support either from Bihar or neighbouring Uttra Pradesh Police, the NIA has been carrying out investigations with the help of central agencies and has been able to crack the case.

The NIA arrested four people, including Mohammed Imtiyaz Ansari who was apprehended by the public when he, along with another IM accused, was assembling bombs inside a toilet at a makeshift railway station in Patna.

The NIA had announced a cash reward of up to Rs 10 lakh for information leading to arrest of five absconding accused of banned Indian Mujahideen terror group including   Tahseen Akhtar in Bodh Gaya and Patna serial blasts cases.

Besides Akhtar alias 'Monu', a resident of Bihar, others named by the NIA were Haider Ali alias Abdullah, Numan Ansari, Taufeeq Ansari and Mojibullah, all residents of Jharkhand.

The five operatives of the Indian Mujahideen were wanted for their alleged involvement in the planning and commission of terrorist acts including the July 7 Bodh Gaya blasts  and October 27 Patna blasts.

While Akhtar, who has virtually taken over India operations of Indian Mujahideen after the arrest of Yaseen Bhatkal, is wanted in connection with the Hyderabad blasts also, Ali is also sought by the agency in another case related to the role of the terror outfit including its finances.

While five monks were injured in Bodh Gaya blasts, eight people died in Patna blasts during Modi's rally.