Two Indians detained in Bangkok's temple blast

NEW DELHI: Two Indian nationals have been detained by the Thai police for their alleged links with the perpetrators of the blast in Bangkok last month that killed 20 people, mostly Chinese nationals.

Two Indian nationals who allegedly often conversed with Erawan temple blast suspect Yusufu Mieraili were detained when a team of police and soldiers raided the Maimuna Garden Home Apartment building in Min Buri district in Bangkok on Sunday, people familiar with the matter from the Thai capital said. The Indian Embassy in Bangkok has sought details from the Thai authorities following the arrest of the two Indians.

While Indian Embassy sources told ET that it could be a case of routine questioning and the two could be released shortly, officials in the diplomatic mission are following up the matter with the local authorities to ascertain the details.

The same Maimuna apartments were raided on September 2, when Thai security forces found bombmaking materials in Room No 9106 rented by Wanna Suansan, a Thai national wanted in the involvement in the Erawan shrine bombing on August 17 and another explosion the following day.

Thai government sources said the authorities searched the apartment building again on Sunday evening, acting on information that some people believed to be involved in the bombings might still be there. Two people, apprehended from one room in the apartment, had Indian passports on them, and were later taken away by Thai military officials for questioning.