Patna: Three men were briefly detained and questioned in Patna late on Friday night after intelligence inputs suggested their resemblance to suspects involved in the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The alert was triggered following the circulation of a suspect sketch by security agencies.
According to police sources, intelligence officials had received information that two individuals matching the description were spotted in Patna. Acting on the tip-off, Kotwali police formed three teams and launched coordinated raids across central Patna, including Patna Junction, Dakbunglow crossing, Fraser Road, and nearby hotels.
CCTV footage from the area led police to an apartment on Fraser Road, where three young men were detained for questioning. The detainees, residents of Darbhanga district, claimed they were in Patna for business related to the textile trade.
Police officers grew suspicious after noticing a striking resemblance between two of the men and the suspects in the sketch. Additionally, the group had been observed taking photographs near Dakbunglow Crossing in a manner deemed suspicious. During interrogation, one of them explained that it was his first visit to Patna and he was sharing photos with a friend to show his location.
After verifying their identities and background with the local police station, officials found no concrete evidence linking the men to any terrorist activity. The trio was released following standard procedure, which included the signing of a bond.
Police have not confirmed any ongoing threat but said surveillance and investigations in the city would continue.
