Bhubaneswar, Ap 6: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the investigation into the Azadnagar blast incident in the capital city, intensifying the probe into possible criminal and terror links.

The explosion had occurred on January 27 at Sundarpada’s Azadnagar area under the Bhubaneswar, leaving four persons injured. The main accused, Sehenwaz Mallik alias Mufi, and his mother later succumbed to injuries during treatment.

The NIA has registered a case and taken over the entire investigation from the Commissionerate Police. The agency is expected to conduct an in-depth probe into the use of RDX in the blast, the accused’s inter-state links, and his past criminal record.

Sources said the agency is also investigating where such a large quantity of RDX was intended to be used. Several individuals are being questioned in connection with the case, including the girlfriend of the deceased main accused.

Earlier, NIA teams had visited the blast site and initiated a preliminary probe to ascertain any possible terror angle. Scientific teams had also collected evidence from the spot.

Reports indicate that those injured in the incident had previous serious criminal cases against them. It is suspected that the accused were assembling the bomb to carry out a major crime, allegedly on a contract basis, with a specific target and date already fixed. However, the plan failed after the explosion occurred prematurely during bomb-making.

Further investigation is underway.