Poor manpower in intelligence dept affects K'taka: Police

Gulbarga, Feb 5 (UNI) Shortage of manpower in the Karnataka intelligence bureau has affected investigations into terrorist activities in the vulnerable northern parts of the state.

Police said there were only 16 people working in the intelligence department in Gulbarga, in the close vicinity of Hyderabad, where terror outfits like LeT were known to be present.

The department had identified a number of places in the district which suits militants to take shelter. It must have a large network with sophisticated electronic gadgets to gather information about the movements of terrorists. At present the department was gathering information through conventional means, police said.

A hardcore terrorist and LeT member Abdul Rehman had arrested here on March 31, 2006. On interrogation, the terrorist had revealed that they were planning to destroy vital installations, including major irrigation projects in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

Even after two years, the trial had not begun, police added.

UNI DP DS SW VC1928