Ranchi RSS office attack accused injured in encounter; ISI link suspected

One of the accused arrested in connection with the petrol bomb attack on the RSS office in Ranchi was injured in a police encounter after allegedly attempting to escape from custody, officials said.

The accused, identified as Saifi Ansari alias Rohit, was among three persons arrested for the June 16 attack on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) office located in the Chutia area of Ranchi. The other two accused have been identified as Aman Ansari and Sayam Sujan.

According to police, Saifi was being held at Kotwali police station when he allegedly escaped on the pretext of going to the bathroom. A police team immediately launched a chase and later intercepted him near the Mandal Toll Plaza area. During the operation, an encounter took place and the accused sustained a gunshot injury. He was subsequently taken into custody and shifted for medical treatment.

Investigators said Aman Ansari is suspected to be the mastermind behind the attack and was allegedly in direct contact with handlers linked to the conspiracy. Police sources also claimed that Saifi Ansari had been using the alias "Rohit".

The attack took place at around 11.35 pm on June 16 when two petrol bombs were allegedly hurled at the RSS office. One of the devices was recovered outside the main gate, while another was thrown onto the building's roof. No casualties were reported in the incident.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that all three accused are residents of Jharkhand. One is from Ranchi, while the other two belong to Lohardaga district. Police believe the suspects were recruited through social media and had conducted reconnaissance of the RSS office before carrying out the attack. Investigators have also recovered videos allegedly made during the reconnaissance.

IS THERE ANY PAKISTAN CONNECTION?

Security agencies suspect the involvement of a module linked to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and alleged gangster Shahzad Bhatti. Sources said one of the accused had spent nearly six months in Dubai and had previously been jailed there in a criminal case. During his stay abroad, he allegedly came into contact with individuals linked to the suspected network.

Investigators further claim that a handler known as "Rana Sahib" had shared videos demonstrating how to assemble petrol bombs. Police believe the accused, all aged between 20 and 22 years, learned the technique through these videos and were not professionally trained in making explosive devices.

Raids are continuing at multiple locations as the investigation progresses.

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