A madrasa at Simulia in West Bengal's Burdwan has bcome the focus of the probe.
An abandoned all-girls' residential madrasa at Simulia in West Bengal's Burdwan district appears to have become central in the probe into the blast that killed two people on October 2. For the last three days, officials of the National Investigation Agency or NIA are camping out here, scouring the six mud rooms for clues.
The madrasa came under the scanner after the two women arrested for the Burdwan blast allegedly admitted their links with it. One of them was the wife of Shakil Ahmed, a man who died in the blast. Another's husband, Abdul Hasan, had been injured.
As many as 30-40 young girls lived with teachers and their husbands at the madrasa, located 40 km from Burdwan town, say locals. "They had no links with the village, all the people here were outsiders. They wouldn't talk to us," said Bashir Hussain, a villager.
During its probe, the NIA found material that, sources say, suggest the madrasa may have been used as a hub by jihadi elements linked to the Burdwan blast. Air gun pellets, sharp-edged weapons, money receipts and jihadi literature - including a Bengali book titled, "How to die a good death" - were reportedly found.
A Nano car parked nearby, with false number plates, is also being investigated. Stickers of the Indian Army were reportedly found in the front and back windshields.
The car was allegedly owned by Yusuf Sheikh, the man who headed the madrasa. A resident of the neighbouring Krishnabati village, Sheikh and his wife are reportedly missing. Neighbours say he was "nice boy", who was devout and kept a low profile.
The NIA is also looking for one Sheikh Bourhan, a resident of Simulia village who had reportedly given land for the madrasa six years ago.
The NIA also searched the Murshidabad house of Shakil Ahmed, who had died while allegedly making bombs. The agency has also summoned three people in Chennai for questioning, said sources.