NIA arrests man wanted in 2006 twin blasts in Kozhikode

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested an absconding youth wanted in the twin blasts in Kozhikode in 2006 on his arrival from Saudi Arabia.

Mohammed Ashar (33) was taken into custody from the Indira Gandhi International Airport here on Wednesday on his arrival from Saudi Arabia.

He was wanted in the IED blasts in KSRTC and Mofussil Bus Stands in Kozhikode on 3 March 2006 causing injuries to two persons besides damage to property.

The NIA had taken over the investigation on 18 December 2009 and had filed a charge-sheet against eight accused, including Ashar in August 2010. Two persons were sentenced to life imprisonment in the case in August 2011.

According to the NIA, Ashar and another absconder P P Yusuf were parties to the criminal conspiracy hatched by the prime accused T Naseer, Safas and others to carry out IED blasts in protest over the denial of bail to Muslim accused persons involved in the Marad communal riots in 2003.

Ashar along with Yusuf allegedly assisted Naseer in preparing the IEDs and had planted the explosive devices at the bus stands. To evade arrest, the NIA said, Ashar went to Saudi Arabia in 2007.

According to the chargesheet, the IEDs were manufactured at Ashar's place in Kannur.