NIA LIKELY TO TAKE OVER K’TAKA BLAST PROBE

BENGALURU: The probe into an explosion in an auto-rickshaw in Mangaluru last week is likely to be handed over to the National Investigation Agency, officials familiar with the matter said on Monday, even as the Karnataka Police expanded the scope of their probe to Tamil Nadu and Kerala after it emerged that the suspect in the “act of terror” recently visited the two states.

On Monday, the police conducted raids at seven locations across Karnataka, including the house of the main suspect, Mohammed Shariq, in Mysuru. Over 150 matchboxes, sulphur, phosphorous, batteries, circuits, and nuts and bolts — materials used in making bombs — were found from the house where Shariq was allegedly living on a stolen identity, police said.

The blast occurred in an auto-rickshaw on November 19, injuring its driver, Purushottam, and the passenger, who was later identified as Thirthahalli-based Shariq.