Two suspected terrorists-linked person arrested

Mangalore, Oct 17 (UNI) The Distirct Inivestigative Crime Bureau (DCIB) led by Venkateshprasanna arrested two suspected terrorist-linked persons and confiscated equipment and instruments pertaining to prepare bombs from two houses in Chikkamagalur districts late last night, A M Prasad, IGP (Western Range) said today.

Talking to newsmen here he said that Rafique and Fakeer Ahmed alias Fakeer Bawa were arrested and confiscated one fifle, one Bow, Jars used for chemical experiments, Engineering Kits, Carpenter Kits, electrical Kit, Tents used in forests for targeting practice, Gun Powder, Chemical Substances, Inner (targets) used for shooting and articles used for preparing bombs.

Based on the information furnished by Ahmed Bawa, one of the person who was involved in series bomb blasts of different parts of the country and was arrested alongwith three others on October 03, this year, that terrorists stayed at Villamakki in Koppa Taluk and Hakkalamane in N.R Pura Taluk of Chikamagalur district, gathered information that one Rafique of Bolanthooru Village in Bantwal Taluk was found moving in the village alongwith Riyaz Bhatkal and other terrorists, he added.

Rafique also revealed that one Fakeer Bava of Mallur in Udupi district brought the following suspected terrorists such as Riyaz Bhatkal, Ahmed Yasin, Ahmed Bawa, Badabhai, chotabai and Moosa to Hakkalamane in N R Pura for the first time, he added.

On the information gathered from Rafique, Bawa was arrested late last night in Mallur while Rafique was arrested in Bolanthooru in Bantwal on the same day, he said.

The investigation revealed that the two accused were preparing bombs in the houses at Hakkalamane and Vittalmakki andheld bomb-blast practice, Mr Prasad Said.

They had also target practice for Rifle and Pistol and raids were conducted on these houses in the wee hours of today morning and sized various equipments and instruments and other incriminating articles, he said.

Bawa was learnt to have been staying with the above said terrorirsts for about two years and was working as a car driver to Riyaz Bhatkal for sometime, he said.

He said that Bawa was at Indonesia and was supporting terrorism and recently came to India, and added that he was also actively involved in collecting funds. Prior to that Bawa was in Dubai for the past six years. He was planning to escape to Indonesia.

Replying to a question, he said that we have to findout whether the Rafique was an ex-SIMI Activist and gathering information, he said.

Two to three special teams have been set up to investigate into the activities of the suspected terrorists, he said.

The investigation is going on whether the Indian Mujahiddin Group was active in Mangalore and Adjoining areas and efforts are being made to know the full network, he added.

Since we are interrogating the spread, he said adding that we are not in a position to reveal as some more information to be gathered.

Riyaz Bhatkal, Ahmed Yasin, Ahmed Bawa, Badabhai, Chotabhai, Moosa and Mudasser Yasin are still absconding and efforts are being made to track them, Prasad said.

UNI MA MSP TS2158