K'taka: Terror links of SIMI activist not clear

Davangere (Karnataka), Jan 30: Karnataka Additional Director General of Police Shankar Bidiri said the possible terror links of Riyazuddin, arrested in Honnali in this district last week, was yet to be ascertained. Speaking to newspersons here, Mr Bidiri said questioning of the youth, hailing from Hyderabad, was still in progress and it was not yet clear, whether he was involved in any terror attacks in the country or had links with any terrorist organisations.

Police sources earlier said Riyazuddin, son of Mohammad Nasruddin, the prime suspect in the killing of former Gujarat Home Minister Hiren Pandya, currently lodged in the Tihar Jail, was involved in the twin-blasts at Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad and he had confessed to have made a trip to Pakistan for training. The ADGP said, ''the involvement of Riyazuddin in terrorist activities, whether in Karnataka or in any other part of the country, is not yet clear. The interrogation is still in progress and we are on with the investigations.''

Mr Bidri said if the local police were found negligent in not carrying out proper investigation into the arrests of Riyazuddin and his accomplice Asadullah of Hospet, action would be taken against them. The duo were caught by the people after they were moving suspiciously in a two-wheeler on December 11.

The ADGP's assertion comes contrary to Advisor to Karnataka Governor P K H Tharakan disclosing to the media in Gulbarga today that Riyazuddin had links with a terrorist outfit.

Mr Tharakan said preliminary investigation showed Riyazuddin, alias Mohamed Ghouse had links with a militant outfit.

UNI