Kerala train arson may just be the start of a nationwide op: Sources

The Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and Intelligence Bureau are now actively involved in the Kerala train arson case, with no major breakthrough being achieved.

The main accused Sharukh Saifi who had first admitted to have carrying out the attack has since remained defiant and has not mentioned anything about the motive, officials aware of the developments tells OneIndia. While the National Investigation Agency (NIA) which is yet to officially take over the probe has submitted its report to the Union Home Ministry, the Kerala police is yet to ascertain what was the motive behind the attack. The police are also trying to find out if this was a lone wolf attack or Saifi had the support of some other elements.

Saifi had sparked a fire on the D-1 coach of the Alappuzha - Kannur executive express on April 2.Three persons were killed, while nine others were injured in the incident.

Along with the Kerala police, the central agencies too have collected details. The Intelligence agencies are probing the motive and also whether Saifi was supported by other persons. This angle arose after it was found that two persons on a scooter had sped off along the road adjacent to the fuel depot, 30 minutes after the incident. The petrol is said to have been purchased from this fuel depot near the Elathur railway station.

The official cited above said that Saifi has not been cooperative during the probe. He is citing health grounds and very often says that he does not recall anything. All possible resources and tactics will be used to probe into the incident. What has worried the security agencies is that Saifi had made notes of many more railway stations. We are trying to see if this is a pattern and if the modus operandi is not cracked, then the country may witness many more such incidents, the officer also said.

Meanwhile the central agencies continue to look for more clues. Checks were carried out at Elathur and the neighbouring areas. We are looking for clues as to whether Saifi was aided by any of the locals or whether he had acted on his own, another official said.