The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday arrested two medicos for their alleged connection with Indian Mujahideen (IM) suspects from a hostel in Ranchi in connection with the Patna aerial blasts on October 27 last year. Police however,did not confirm their arrests till late evening.
A conspiracy had been hatched to harm Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi, the National Investigation Agency claimed on Wednesday, saying it has cracked last year's Patna serial blasts case with the arrest of four persons.
The duo — doctors by profession — had taken shelter since the last few months in a hostel and were allegedly in regular contact with Haider and Mujibullah, who were arrested by the agency in a joint operation with the local police on Wednesday. The NIA has also seized some explosives, which could easily be converted into bombs.
"The raid was conducted on Wednesday night at Idris Medical Hostel by a joint team of NIA and Ranchi Police, where some explosives like boosters, wires and detonators, IED along with some other articles, including a laptop have been seized from their room," said SSP Prabhat Kumar. According to the SSP, raids are being conducted at several other places on the basis of information gathered from the laptop of IM suspect Haider, arrested by the investigating agencies on Wednesday. Kumar refused to divulge any details regarding the arrest of two doctors from the hostel saying that the local police only provided logistic support during the raid and that he had no further knowledge regarding the arrests.
Sources in the police department however, confirmed the arrest of two doctors from the hostel room, one of whom has been identified as Dr Syed Ejaz Hashmi, who was working as a junior doctor at a leading private hospital in Ranchi. The details of the other arrested person, Shoaib Akhtar, have not been disclosed so far. Hashmi is said to have done his MBBS from Aligarh Muslim University and was pursuing Post Graduation at RIMS. The duo, having medical degrees, were staying at Idris Medical hostel near Jora Talaab under Bariatu Police Station, meant for Muslim students of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences. The hostel having over 50 rooms in it is meant only for doctors who is either a medical student or preparing for higher studies.
"I didn't opt for the room in the RIMS hostel as I don't like my neighbours taking liquor or smoking," said the second year student.
It also accommodates medical students from outside who are preparing for higher studies, looking for jobs or fresh pass-outs from any other Medical College doing internship. It is run by a trust of students managed by themselves with the token amount of `300 for each room. The raid at Idris lodge was conducted under tight security.