Who Is Abubacker Siddique, TN's Most Wanted Terrorist & Man Behind Failed 2011 Assassination Plot On Advani?

In a significant breakthrough, Tamil Nadu Police's Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) captured Abubacker Siddique, the state's most wanted terrorist and involved in a failed assassination plot of former India's Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani, in Andhra Pradesh. He has been on the run for the last 30 years.

Alongside Siddique, Mohammed Ali, another fugitive linked to multiple terror cases, was also apprehended. The duo was located in Annamayya district following precise intelligence inputs.

Who Is Abubacker Siddique?

60-year-old Siddique is originally from Nagore. He has been on the run since 1995 with a bounty of Rs 5 lakh on his head. His involvement spans several high-profile terrorist activities across Tamil Nadu and neighbouring regions. Notably, he mentored key radicals like Bilal Malik and 'Police' Fakruddin. Not to forget, he is a skilled bomber too, according to a report in NDTV.

Significant Arrests in Counter-Terrorism Efforts

The ATS operation is hailed as a major success in counter-terrorism efforts. Siddique's capture is particularly noteworthy due to his role in numerous deadly attacks. Biggest among them was his failed assassination attempt on senior BJP leader LK Advani during his Rath Yatra in Madurai in 2011.

Also, he was involved in the 1995 bombing at the Hindu Munnani office in Chennai and a parcel bomb incident in Nagore that resulted in Thangam's death.

Additionally, Siddique coordinated bomb-planting operations across Chennai, Trichy, Coimbatore, and parts of Kerala in 1999. One target was the Chennai Police Commissioner's Office in Egmore, the report said.

Long-Standing Fugitive Captured

Mohammed Ali, from Melapalayam in Tirunelveli, had evaded capture for 26 years. He is implicated in the 1999 multi-location bombing case alongside Siddique. Both men are associated with attempts to incite communal unrest and conduct targeted attacks against political and religious leaders.

Impact on Terror Networks

Siddique also faced charges for Dr. Arvind Reddy's murder in Vellore in 2012 and involvement in the 2013 bomb blast near Bengaluru's BJP office. Authorities view these arrests as crucial steps toward dismantling dormant sleeper cells and reaffirming their commitment to preventing extremist violence.

Siddique and Ali will be presented before a judicial magistrate for remand into custody. Their interrogation is anticipated to provide valuable insights into terror modules operating within southern India.

The arrests provide a morale boost for law enforcement agencies and may advance several stalled investigations. Senior officials praised the operation as evidence of the ATS's persistent intelligence-gathering and cross-state coordination efforts.