Kolkata Police arrested two in connection with Bodh Gaya explosion, recovered 50 kg explosives

KOLKATA: In a major breakthrough in Bodh Gaya explosion case, the Special Task Force of Kolkata Police has arrested two Jammat-Ul-Mujahideen, Bangladesh (JMB) from West Bengal.

Acting on specific intelligence input, the STF picked up 24 year old Shiekh Paigambar from Murshidabad and 31 year old Sheikh Jamirul from Siliguri. Both the accused are active members of JMB, said sources in STF. Around 50 kg explosives were recovered from the arrested persons.

During interrogation, they are said to have admitted that they were part of the team which planted the IED (improvised explosive devices) near the temple in Bodh Gaya during Dalai Lama’s visit. Sources further added that a team of NIA will visit Kolkata shortly to examine the arrested persons.


A small intensity IED, kept inside a flask near Mahabodhi temple in Bihar’s Bodh Gaya went off on January 19 triggering huge panic in the area. The incident took place amid high security arrangements in the area as Dalai Lama was staying there. Police recovered two more live IEDs from the area. The bombs were found after an explosion-like sound was heard amid stringent security measures in view of the Dalai Lama's stay.The NIA along with Bihar police is investigating the case.