Patna, Nov 18 (IANS): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has told Bihar Police to look out for five terror suspects involved in Patna and Bodh Gaya bombings as they may be hiding in districts on the India-Nepal border and were likely to escape to Nepal, police Monday said.
"After NIA's alert, Bihar Police headquarters asked superintendents of police and incharges of police stations in districts on the India-Nepal border to keep a close watch on terror suspects," a police officer said.
The NIA also requested the state police to tighten security and intensify patrolling in East and West Champaran, Kishanganj, Katihar, Araria, Purnea, and Madhubani districts.
"The NIA officials apprehend that terror suspects may use these districts to escape to Nepal," police said.
According to police officials, bordering districts are known to be safe hideouts for terror suspects in the past.
Bihar Police along with the NIA arrested Yasin Bhatkal, co-founder of Indian Mujahideen from Raxaul near Motihari in East Champaran in August this year.
Arshad Ansari alias Tabish was arrested early this month from a village in East Champaran in connection with serial blasts in Patna.
Besides, the NIA raided several places in border districts in search of terror suspects after the serial blasts in Patna.
The NIA Sunday released sketches and details of the five terror suspects wanted in connection with serial bomb blasts in Patna and Bodh Gaya and sought the help of the general public in nabbing them.
A cash award was also announced for any information leading to the arrest of the men, wanted for involvement in planning and executing acts of terrorism, including the July 7, 2013 Bodh Gaya blasts and the Oct 27, 2013 Patna blasts.
The NIA, which is probing the recent serial blasts, said that five suspects including Tahseen Akhtar alias Monu, Haider Ali alias Abdullah, Numan Ansari, Taufeeq Ansari and Mojibullah, who are absconding, were wanted.
All five suspects are considered operatives of the banned Indian Mujahideen, an outfit suspected of involvement in the Bodh Gaya and Patna serial blasts.
Ten bombs exploded at Bodh Gaya's Mahabodhi temple in which two Buddhist monks were injured. Three live bombs were recovered and defused.
At least seven people, including a suspected bomber, were killed and nearly 100 injured in the blasts ahead of the Oct 27 rally by the Bharatiya Janata Party's prime minister candidate Narendra Modi.