The National Investigation Agency is expected to take over the Mangaluru blast case to probe the inter-state terror links with the recently foiled IS-inspired attack in Coimbatore and possible cross-border support .
Islamic State-linked terror suspect Shariq, who was part of the Shivamogga module busted by the NIA and Karnataka police on September 20, has emerged as the prime suspect. Shariq was carrying a pressure cooker IED which went off while he was travelling in an auto. He has been admitted to Mangaluru government hospital with severe burn injuries.
The driver of the auto has also been seriously injured. He, however, has no connections to terror plot and the auto was hired by Shariq, say the investigators.
On September 20, the police agencies had arrested Maaz Muneer Ahmed (22) from Mangaluru and Syed Yasin (21) from Shivamogga as they busted a terror module. The third suspect, Shariq (24) who is from Thirthahalli, was on the run. The NIA team in Mangaluru is now trying to piece together the evidence.
The central agency is already probing the October 23 blast in Coimbatore and has carried out searches in more than 40 locations. The probe has revealed attempts being made by radicalised modules to strike terror in southern states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Coimbatore is emerging as the epicentre of terror in south India as sleuths believe that perpetrators like Jameesha Mubin, the deceased suspect and Mohammed Thalka, the arrested accused, as well as the latest suspects are products of online indoctrination and terror training. Inspired by the IS ideology, their mission is fuelled by a growing pro-Islamic sentiment being pushed by inimical elements across the border.
Counter terror officials suspect that the cross-border terror machinery is obliquely trying to use the cover of IS brand of terror to carry out attacks, especially in south India, where radicalisation is on the rise.
The blast in Coimbatore on October 23 and the explosion in Mangaluru on November 19 came in the wake of the ban on the Popular Front of India on September 28 and the ensuing crackdown on several terror suspects in states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala.
Huge quantity of explosives has been seized from a house in Metagalli in Mysuru which was raided by the local police based on inputs from Mangaluru police. The suspect belonging to the minority community but identified himself as Premraj Hutagi in a fake Aadhar card. He had taken the house on rent on September 20 using this name. The police has recovered a book containing details of circuits, multimeter sulfax fertiliser, nuts and bolts, cooker whistles and bottles filled with liquid chemicals and a big box of matchboxes from the house. Premraj, who is suspected to have hidden his real identity, was learning mobile repair work at Mysuru.
The rise in radicalisation in the southern belt has once again come to the forefront as investigators found that the latest blast was a failed attempt of a larger terror conspiracy to cause maximum damage. Sleuths said the IED was filled with low explosive substance and seemed to be an accidental explosion during transportation.
“This seems to be the preparation (of a terror attack) and after a few failed attempts, it cannot be ruled out that one attempt may be successful,” said a counter terror official.
This has put central and state agencies on their toes to foil the terror bids . Teams of the NIA , state police and intelligence agencies are closely working together to fast track investigations in both Coimbatore and Mangaluru blast cases.