New Delhi, April 13 -- The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested three individuals in connection with the Malda violence case, with preliminary investigations pointing towards a multi-layered conspiracy and a pre-planned attack, sources said on Monday.

Among those taken into custody is Gulam Rabbani, a leader of the Indian Secular Front (ISF). According to investigators, Rabbani was allegedly involved in a meeting held just a day prior to the incident.

The anti-terror agency also arrested two Congress workers, identified as Shahdath Husaain and Asif Sheikh. Sources indicate that the duo was responsible for organising a separate meeting aimed at mobilising a large crowd ahead of the targeted attack.

The NIA's preliminary findings...