Security and intelligence agencies probing the petrol bomb attack on the regional office of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Ranchi, Jharkhand, have arrested three key suspects, uncovering what investigators believe could be a larger cross-border conspiracy with international links.
The attack took place at the RSS provincial headquarters at Nivaranpur under Chutia police station limits of the city, triggering a high-level investigation involving state police and intelligence agencies.
According to sources associated with the probe, preliminary findings suggest that the conspiracy may have been planned from Dubai and executed in Ranchi with the assistance of local operatives.
Investigators suspect that the plot has links to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and a suspected extremist outfit identified as Tehreek-e-Taliban Hindustan (TTH).
While officials have not yet made a formal announcement regarding these links, agencies are examining digital and financial trails that could establish the extent of foreign involvement.
One of the arrested suspects had reportedly worked in Dubai, where he allegedly came into contact with anti-India elements. During his stay there, he is believed to have met two individuals identified as Rana Hussain alias Rana Ji and Shahbaz Alam alias Bhatti.
Sources claim the duo is associated with TTH and allegedly recruited and radicalised the accused before assigning him the task of targeting the RSS office in Ranchi.
According to investigators, after receiving instructions from handlers based abroad, the accused conducted reconnaissance of the RSS office and arranged materials required to assemble petrol bombs.
Glass bottles, petrol and other components were allegedly procured from local markets in Ranchi before the devices were prepared and used in the attack.
Also read: Petrol bombs hurled at RSS office in Ranchi, probe underway
Of the three arrested individuals, two are reportedly residents of Lohardaga district, while the third is from Ranchi and is suspected to have assisted with logistics and surveillance.
In a related development, one of the accused sustained a bullet injury during a police encounter operation. Senior Superintendent of Police Rakesh Ranjan and other officials visited the encounter site in Mandar as investigations continued.
Security agencies are now conducting an extensive examination of the accused persons' mobile phones, social media accounts, encrypted communications and financial transactions.
Investigators are also scrutinising possible foreign funding channels and the role of handlers operating from outside India.
Officials involved in the probe believe the arrests may have exposed only the operational layer of the conspiracy. Agencies are exploring the possibility of a wider sleeper-cell network or local support structure that may have facilitated the attack.
Multiple raids are underway to identify the alleged masterminds and any additional collaborators.
Authorities indicated that further revelations are expected as interrogation of the arrested suspects progresses.
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