NIA raids Lohardaga in Ranchi RSS office petrol bomb attack probe
Synopsis
NIA teams descended on Lohardaga at 4 am on 17 July, raiding homes and hideouts linked to the June petrol bomb attack on the RSS office in Ranchi — including a property where officials had to use a crane to enter. With two suspects already in judicial custody, investigators are now hunting for the wider network behind the strike.
Key Takeaways
The NIA conducted pre-dawn raids across Lohardaga, Jharkhand on 17 July 2025 in connection with the Ranchi RSS office petrol bomb attack .
Raids began at around 4 am and were supported by local police and central security forces.
Premises linked to suspects Saif Ansari and Aman Ansari , both in judicial custody , were searched.
Officials reportedly used a crane to enter Aman Ansari's residence after the main entrance could not be opened.
The RSS provincial office in Ranchi was attacked with a petrol bomb on 16 June 2025 ; this is the second round of NIA raids in Lohardaga, following a first search on 19 June 2025 .
Seized digital devices and documents are being examined for evidence of wider conspiracy and coordination.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday, 17 July 2025, conducted coordinated pre-dawn raids at multiple locations across Jharkhand's Lohardaga district as part of its ongoing investigation into the petrol bomb attack on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) provincial office in Ranchi in June 2025. The operation, which began at around 4 am, was carried out with the support of local police and central security forces.
How the Raids Unfolded
NIA teams moved simultaneously across multiple premises — including residences and suspected hideouts of persons linked to the attack. Investigators scrutinised mobile phones, laptops, digital storage devices, and physical documents. According to sources, certain materials were seized for further technical and forensic examination.
Notably, during the search at the residence of Aman Ansari — one of the suspects currently in judicial custody — NIA officials reportedly had to access the building through the upper floor using a crane provided by the local electricity department, after the main entrance could not be opened.
Key Suspects Named
Sources indicated that the agency searched premises linked to Saif Ansari and Aman Ansari, both of whom are presently lodged in judicial custody in connection with the case. The searches are believed to be aimed at tracing the broader network behind the attack and establishing whether a wider conspiracy was involved.
Security Tightened as Crowds Gathered
Security arrangements in the area were reinforced after a large number of local residents gathered near the search sites during the operation. The presence of central forces helped maintain order throughout the early-morning raids.
Background: The RSS Office Attack and Prior Raids
The RSS provincial office in Ranchi was targeted with a petrol bomb on the night of 16 June 2025. The case was initially handled by local police before being transferred to the NIA. The agency had already conducted a first round of raids in Lohardaga on 19 June 2025, making Thursday's operation the second major search drive in the district as part of this probe.
The NIA had not issued an official statement on Thursday's raids as of the time of reporting. Investigators are continuing to analyse seized digital material to map communication and coordination patterns among those allegedly involved. The investigation is expected to widen as forensic findings emerge.
Point of View
The public picture is built almost entirely on source-level disclosures. The speed of central agency involvement — case transferred from local police and raided within days of the attack — also points to political sensitivity around the target, a factor that will shape how the probe's findings are eventually received.
NationPress
16 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ranchi RSS office petrol bomb attack?
The RSS provincial office in Ranchi, Jharkhand, was targeted with a petrol bomb on the night of 16 June 2025. The case was initially investigated by local police before being transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Why did the NIA raid Lohardaga on 17 July 2025?
The NIA conducted raids in Lohardaga to gather additional evidence, trace the network behind the Ranchi RSS office attack, and examine digital devices and documents linked to suspects. It is the second round of NIA searches in the district, following an earlier operation on 19 June 2025.
Who are Saif Ansari and Aman Ansari?
Saif Ansari and Aman Ansari are suspects currently in judicial custody in connection with the Ranchi RSS office petrol bomb attack. The NIA searched premises linked to both individuals during the 17 July raids.
What was seized during the NIA raids in Lohardaga?
According to sources, investigators seized mobile phones, laptops, digital storage devices, and various documents. The seized material is being subjected to technical and forensic examination to map communication and coordination among those allegedly involved.
Has the NIA made any official statement on the raids?
As of the time of reporting, the NIA had not issued an official statement on Thursday's raids in Lohardaga. The agency is expected to provide further details as the forensic analysis of seized material progresses.
