Regional office of the BJP in Chikmagalur was also a potential target

The NIA has been scouting in and around Malnad in relation to this case

4 suspected individuals from Thirthahalli are already being interrogated

Arafat Ali, who is the alleged mastermind behind the cooker blast that took place in November 2022 had revealed to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) that the Kadri Temple in Mangalore was the target of the attack. It has now come to the forefront that the Udupi Matha and the regional office of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Chikmagalur were also on their list of potential targets.

 The NIA has been scouting in and around Malnad for the last 3 days in relation to this case. 4 suspected individuals from Thirthahalli are already being interrogated by the NIA. 

It is being reported that the attacks on the Udupi Matha and the Chikmagalur BJP office would have fructified were the cooker blast have successfully been implemented. The bomb however exploded while it was being carried in an auto to the location.The individual Shariq, involved in the incident had faked his identity as Premraj hailing from Hubli after having stolen an Adhar card and was living in a rented accommodation under this name.