Meghalaya Police have intensified their crackdown on those behind the IED explosion at a construction company campus near Shymplong village, arresting two additional suspects and taking the total number of arrests in the case to four.
The fresh arrests were made following a joint overnight operation carried out by police teams from East and West Jaintia Hills districts. The two men, aged 29 and 25, were produced before a court, which granted police custody for six days to allow investigators to further question them and trace wider links connected to the blast.
The explosion took place around 12.15 am on December 15 inside the premises of Dhar Construction Company, where a water tanker was damaged. No casualties were reported. Subsequent forensic analysis confirmed that an improvised explosive device had been used in the attack.
Earlier this month, police had arrested two residents of Shymplong village in connection with the incident. They were booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Explosive Substances Act after a case was registered at Lumshnong police station on December 16.
Investigators have also identified another suspect believed to have planned the attack. He remains absconding and is additionally wanted in a separate case registered at Khliehriat Women Police Station under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. A search conducted at his residence led to the recovery of materials linked to explosives, including safety fuses, detonators, gunpowder, metal fragments, a country-made firearm and wireless communication devices.
The banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council has claimed responsibility for the blast. Police said efforts are continuing to track down all those involved and dismantle the network behind the attack.
Meghalaya Police have urged members of the public to come forward with any information related to the case, assuring confidentiality and a suitable reward for credible inputs.
