NIA arrests 2 in Bengal's Amta bomb blast case

New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday said it has arrested two accused after searches in West Bengal's Amta area in connection with the 2022 bomb blast that killed one of the bomb-makers and left three injured.

Asfar Middya and Entajul Middya, both from Amta area of Howrah (rural), were arrested on Tuesday night following the searches conducted at suspected hideouts of the accused at three locations. The duo has been identified as the prime accused, under whose directions the crude bombs were illegally manufactured near Chandrapur Bazar in Amta police station area on February 23, 2022.

Some of the bombs being manufactured had exploded, severely injuring Jahadhar Mollah, Mohabbat Mollah, Moinur Rahaman and Sk Maharam. Sk Maharam later succumbed to his injuries, the agency said. NIA, which took over investigations from the local police in April 2024, found that Asfar and Entajul were controlling the bomb manufacturing operation, and the bombs were intended to threaten and terrorise people in the area.


Four persons were arrested and chargesheeted earlier in the case.