Argus News - Probe Reveals Odisha Link in Delhi Blast Case

Bhubaneswar, Dec 14: Investigators probing the Delhi car‑bomb blast have intensified their operations after uncovering a strong Odisha connection to the terror plot.

The breakthrough came when Delhi Police traced several mobile SIM cards used by the attackers to shops in Jajpur and Bhadrak districts, prompting immediate raids and detentions.

A team from Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh police station conducted coordinated raids at Manjuri Road market in Bhadrak and parts of Jajpur, detaining two mobile shop owners — Santosh Khanda of Bhandaripokhari and Maheshwar Khuntia of Banta. Both were taken into custody with the assistance of local police.

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Preliminary investigation revealed unusually large financial transactions in the accounts of the two accused, raising further suspicion.

The arrests come in connection with the November 10 blast near Delhi’s Red Fort, which claimed 12 lives. Investigators believe that individuals linked to Al Falah University played a key role in orchestrating the attack, and the probe remains active.

According to police sources, Santosh had been running an illegal operation involving fake mobile phones and unauthorized SIM cards. Using Aadhaar details of unsuspecting customers who came to purchase new SIM cards, Santosh and Maheshwar allegedly activated multiple SIMs at once. While customers received only one SIM, the remaining activated cards were sold at high prices to anonymous buyers.

These SIM cards, police say, were later used for criminal and possibly terror‑related activities. The racket came to light after Delhi Police seized several illegal SIM cards during the Shaheen Bagh investigation, eventually tracing them back to Bhadrak.

Both accused have been taken to Delhi on transit remand for further interrogation. Investigators believe the illegal SIM network may have supplied communication tools to multiple criminal groups, and more arrests are likely as the probe expands.