Ranchi, May 21 (IANS): Five Indian Mujahideen (IM) operatives were detained by the NIA Wednesday in connection with the serial blasts at Gandhi Maidan in Patna Oct 27 last year, when prime minister-designate Narendra Modi was addressing a campaign rally.
According to sources the five suspected IM operatives were detained by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) from three different places in the state. Jharkhand Police is tight lipped about the detentions.
"We have information that some IM operatives have been detained and they may be arrested. We cannot divulge anything. NIA is investigating the Patna and Bodh Gaya blasts and only NIA will confirm the arrest," a police official told IANS on condition of anonymity.
Some IM operatives involved in the Patna blasts belonged to Sithiyo village in Ranchi. An NIA team arrived in Ranchi Tuesday.
They went to the village but were attacked by some people there.
According to sources, the NIA team arrived with arrested IM operative Tehsin Akhtar, accused in the Patna blasts.
Tehsin Akhtar is said to be the co-founder of Indian Mujahideen.