A petrol bomb attack on a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) office in Ranchi has taken a wider security turn after Jharkhand Police claimed the arrested accused had links to an ISI-funded outfit and were allegedly radicalised while in Dubai.
The case, which initially appeared to be an isolated act of vandalism, is now being investigated for suspected international and terror connections. Police have recommended that the probe be handled by the Jharkhand Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) following preliminary findings.
According to sources, two of the arrested men, Saif Ansari and Aman Ansari, had travelled to Dubai where they allegedly came in contact with Shahbaz Rana alias Bhatti, a Pakistani national. Investigators claim the duo later became associated with Tehreek-e-Taliban Hindustan (TTH) and agreed to further the outfit’s anti-India activities.
Sources said the accused remained in contact with their handlers through the Botim application and WhatsApp. They allegedly recorded the attack on their mobile phones and sent the footage to their handler after carrying it out.
Ranchi Police tracked suspects through cab trail
Senior Superintendent of Police Rakesh Ranjan said three people – Saif Ansari, Aman Ansari and Sayam Sujan – have been arrested in connection with the June 16 incident.
He said investigators relied on technical evidence and identified a Rapido cab allegedly used by the accused. Police teams, assisted by Bokaro and Koderma police, intercepted and arrested the suspects while they were attempting to flee.
“On 16 June, an incident occurred where some unknown criminals threw a petrol bomb at the RSS office in Nivaranpur. Although no damage was caused, given the sensitivity of the incident, we were all actively involved,” Ranjan said.
“When we began the investigation based on technical and other evidence, we discovered that a Rapido cab had been used by the criminals in this incident. After we zeroed in on the criminals, as they were fleeing, we, with the help of the Bokaro and Koderma police, arrested them,” he added.
ATS to investigate international links
The Ranchi SSP said preliminary questioning had revealed what he described as “important links”, including international connections, prompting a recommendation to transfer the case to the ATS.
“During the preliminary interrogation, we uncovered some important links, including some international ones. We are currently investigating them,” he said.
Ranjan added that further arrests could not be ruled out as investigators continue to examine the network behind the attack and possible funding channels.
He also said police were examining motives behind the incident. “There are only two motives for any incident. One is to spread the rumour, and the other is to harm social harmony in any way possible,” he said.
Accused shot in leg after alleged escape attempts
Police said one of the arrested men allegedly tried to escape custody on two occasions.
According to Ranjan, the accused first attempted to flee from the Kotwali police station lockup. After being caught, he allegedly made another escape attempt, snatched a police officer’s weapon and opened fire.
“We also fired at him in self-defence, and he was shot in the leg. He is currently undergoing treatment,” the SSP said.
Ranchi City SP Paras Rana provided further details, saying the accused initially escaped by breaking a ventilation window in a police station bathroom before being apprehended on a bus.
“He was caught on a bus and again tried to escape from police custody. This time, he snatched a police official’s pistol and tried to escape. In retaliatory action, he was shot in the leg and has been sent to the hospital,” Rana said.
The remaining two accused remain in custody and are being questioned, he added.
CCTV footage captured attack
The incident occurred shortly after midnight when two youths allegedly hurled petrol bombs at the RSS office located in Ranchi’s Nivaranpur area.
Police said no damage was reported.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (City) KV Raman had earlier said two bottles recovered from the scene were being examined by the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL). He added that cyber experts and a special investigation team had been assigned to the case after CCTV footage helped identify suspects.