Under tight security arrangements, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday morning escorted Firoz alias Sabzi, a key accused in the 2022 Jaipur bomb blast conspiracy, from Bhopal Central Jail to Jaipur for further interrogation and legal proceedings.
Firoz, who had been lodged in a high-security cell at Bhopal Central Jail for the past 20 days, was considered a prime suspect in the case. He served as the treasurer of the banned organization Al Sufa, which is alleged to have played a central role in orchestrating the 2022 Jaipur blast plot.
Firoz was arrested on April 3 by Ratlam police, following months of tracking by the NIA. A reward of Rs 5 lakh had been declared for information leading to his capture. His arrest is being viewed as a major breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into the attempted terror attack.
He was apprehended while visiting his sister Rehana in Ratlam to celebrate Eid. Rehana is married to Masroof Khan, brother of BJP Minority Morcha district president Mansoor Jamadar, who resides in the front portion of the same house. Firoz had been frequently changing locations and at times used a burqa to evade detection. Authorities are currently probing the role of his son and nephew in aiding his concealment.
The case dates back to March 30, 2022, when Rajasthan police intercepted a suspicious vehicle in Nimbahera. Upon searching, they discovered explosives, timers, and batteries, leading to the arrest of Ratlam residents Zuber Pathan, Saifullah Khan, and Altamash. Interrogations subsequently revealed the names of other conspirators, including Amin Phawada, Amin Haji, Mazhar, Imran Pathan, Yunus Saki, Imran Matka, Aqib Maharashtra, and Firoz alias Sabzi.
Following this, the NIA arrested 10 individuals, but Firoz had managed to remain at large until his arrest earlier this month. His interrogation is expected to yield critical insights into the larger terror network and significantly aid efforts to dismantle the remaining elements of the conspiracy.
