Bhatkal explosives case- 4 IM operatives chargesheeted

Four members of the Indian Mujahideen have been chargesheeted by the Bengaluru police in connection with various cases which also includes supplying of explosives.

The chargesheeted persons are Syed Ismail Afaaque, Syed Suboor, Saddam Hussain and Riyaz Ahmed Sayeedi. The chargesheet states that these persons were also in touch with Riyaz Bhatkal, Iqbal Shahbandri and Ateef who are currently in Karachi.

The charges:

It is the contention of the police in the chargesheet that large quantity of electronic detonators, gelatin sticks, ammonium nitrate, jihadi literature and posters and assembled circuit boards to be used in bomb blasts have been recovered and seized on the information of the arrested persons.

The arrested persons were in regular contact with absconding accused Riyaz Bhatkal, Iqbal and Afeef of Bhatkal. These three persons are said to be in Karachi the police also says.

The main accused arrested in this case, Syed Ismail Afaaque, Bhatkal is married to a Pakistani National. Under the guise of visiting his in-laws house in Karachi, Pakisan, Syed Ismail Afaaque has visited Karachi, met Riyaz Bhatkal, Iqbal Bhatkal and Afeef, discussed about providing logistical support to carry out bomb blasts in various parts of India. Syed Ismail Afaaque had undergone training in using various weapons, assembling of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) to be used in bomb blasts.

123 witnesses:

The police claim that they had examined 123 witnesses before filing this 1,700 page chargesheet. Also, in this case the identity of several key witnesses have been kept confidential to safeguard the life and privacy of the Witnesses.

All the arrested accused have been charged under Sections 120B, 121A, 511 of IPC, 1860; sections 13, 16, 18, 20 & 38 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 and 4, 5, &6 of Explosive Substances Act, 1908.