Molla, the ex-MLA from Canning Purba, is believed to have gone into hiding, the officer said.
All three mobile phones used by the accused are switched off, he said, adding that all relevant details of the accused have been shared with the BSF to ensure that he does not leave the country.
Read More: NIA conducts searches, arrests one more accused in Bhangar bomb blast case
“We have declared Saokat Molla absconding and have alerted all agencies concerned. Necessary information has been shared with the BSF and other authorities to prevent any attempt to cross the international border,” the officer told PTI.
The official added that the agency is pursuing multiple leads regarding Molla’s whereabouts.
“There are indications that he may be hiding at a relative’s residence. Several teams are carrying out searches and verification exercises. We are confident of tracing him soon,” the official said.On Thursday, the central probe agency conducted searches at Molla’s residence, party office and several locations, arresting one more person as part of its ongoing investigation into the explosion that took place in March, taking the total number of arrests to three.
The person arrested on Thursday is the driver of the four-wheeler, which was used to transport the bomb makers.
“With the arrest of Sainur Molla, the driver of the SUV, the total arrests in the case have gone up to three,” a release by the probe agency said.
“A total of eight locations, including the residence and suspected hideouts of former MLA and absconder Saokat Molla – a prime suspect and conspirator in the case – were searched as part of the operations,” it mentioned.
The NIA officers questioned members of Molla’s family and later held his son.
According to the official, the central probe agency sleuths have evidence that Molla was last seen travelling on a motorcycle in the Chunakhali area towards Basanti early Thursday.
Read More: NIA raids nine places in Bengal in Bhangar blast case
“Preliminary information suggests that he may have been planning to move towards the riverine route leading to areas close to the India-Bangladesh border,” he said.
Acting on specific inputs, NIA teams, assisted by central forces, conducted overnight searches at a madrasa, nearby localities and forested areas, but failed to locate him.
One person was killed, and three others sustained critical injuries in a crude bomb explosion at Dakshin Bamunia village in South 24 Parganas district on March 19, while bombs were allegedly being made there.
Mollah, who represented the Canning Purba Assembly constituency and won elections in 2016 and 2021, recently had his security cover withdrawn by the state government.
