Cops nab alleged Simi activist
Kunal Chatterjee
Sunday, August 03, 2008 03:45 IST
BANGALORE: The Belgaum police have arrested Tanvir Abdul Sattar Mulla , 31, an alleged SIMI activist and found three CDs containing information on how to make bombs. Modified gas cylinders were also found, say the cops who added that his arrest will provide the police with possible clues to the blasts. Belgaum SP, Soniya Nareng, told DNA, “We had specific information about him. We have been on a lookout for him since then.”
She said that three CDs also contained Jehadi materials, Islamic speech, footage of Ahmedabad and Mumbai blasts as well as the Babri Masjid demolition. Tanvir was arrested earlier by Hubli police for his alleged involvement in the Hubli blasts. Three days ago, Bangalore police had detained Samir Sadique, another SIMI activist.
Tanvir and Sadique are both close accomplices of Yasir, son of Hyderabad cleric Moulana Naseruddin, suspected of involvement in the murder of former Gujarat home minister Haren Pandya. His younger brother Mohammad Ghouse, alias Naseer, was arrested by Bangalore police for his alleged involvement in terror activities in Karnataka.
During interrogation, Naseer told the police he would avenge his father’s arrest by executing terror attacks. Yasir’s arrest also revealed he was planning similar attacks.
Another explosive device was recovered and defused in Bangalore late last night. “It was a low intensity explosive, without any timer and was found at Channapatna,” DGP R Sri Kumar said. It was placed in a small tin and found by a local, who informed the police. A bomb squad has defused it.
Police say it could have been dropped for testing. Sources said the bomb was similar to the ones used in the Bangalore blasts lending credence to the theory that locals may have been behind the blasts.