The National Investigation (NIA) on Wednesday said it had seized fake notes in Rs 2,000 denomination with a total face value of nearly Rs 7 lakh in Bengaluru, Karnataka, and arrested four persons, including a woman.

The NIA Mumbai branch raided Aluru on Tuesday following a tip-off and recovered Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) with a face value of Rs 4.34 lakh from MG Raju, Gangadhar Kolkar and Sajjad Ali.

"We along with police raided BDA (Bangalore Development Authority) Layout in Aluru following information that a deal in FICN is likely to take place. The three accused were found in possession of 217 FICN of Rs 2,000 denomination."

NIA Spokesperson Alok Mittal told IANS that the seized notes were similar to genuine Rs 2,000 currency and it was difficult for a lay person to differentiate.

"It is suspected that the counterfeit notes have been printed and smuggled from across the border," said the official, adding that another NIA raid on Wednesday led to seizure of FICN with a face value of Rs 2.5 lakh from a woman, resident of Srirampur in Bengaluru.

The officials said an FIR was lodged with Bengaluru Police and the smugglers are being interrogated about their handlers and suppliers.

This comes after the NIA earlier in the week had announced the arrest of 38-year-old terror suspect Mohammed Jahidul Islam of Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh from Ramangara Town, near  Bengaluru on Monday.

Mohammed Jahidul Islam who is also known by his aliases Kausar, Munna, Mizan and Boma Miyan, is the alleged mastermind of the 2013  Bodh Gaya serial blast case in which more than seven people were injured in explosions at the UNESCO World Heritage sites ahead of Dalai Lama’s visit.

Following his arrest, investigation agencies are also on the lookout for his wife and relatives, who are on the run.

With IANS inputs