BUSTED KERALA IS MODULE HAD PLOTTED ATTACKS DURING DIWALI

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the arrest of six persons from Kerala, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has busted the Islamic State terrorist outfit’s Kerala module named ‘Ansarul Khalifa’ that was reportedly planning to carry out a series of attacks in south India during Diwali.

According to intelligence agencies, one of the key operatives, Manseed (29), using the name of Omar Al Hindi, had been active on cyber space, recruiting youth for the IS.

Besides luring people to migrate to trouble-torn Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, he also formed a module to carry out terrorist activities in the country.

The module was planning to target vital installations in port city Kochi, sources said.

However, the NIA is yet to find any link between the module and 21 people from the state who are believed to have joined the IS three months ago.

The NIA had apprehended them from a hilltop shrine in Panur in north Kerala where they were plotting to attack important people and key installations during Diwali.

The module had entrusted two members to collect explosive material and detonators. The NIA recovered electronic devices and other materials from them. Sources said the module also planned another attack using heavy vehicles to run over busy places. All the arrested are in the 24-30 age group.

Meanwhile, the NIA on Monday detained a 31-year-old man from Kadayanallur in Tamil Nadu’s Thirunelveli district over his suspected links with the Islamic State terrorist outfit.

His arrest comes after six persons were arrested in Kerala.

After interrogating the six, a special NIA team arrested K Subhani from his father-inlaw’s house around 4.30 am on Monday, and took him to an undisclosed location for interrogation.

According to police sources, Subhani was working in Idukki district in Kerala, where he befriended the six men who were held on Sunday.

NIA SEARCHED PLACES IN KOZHIKODE AND KANNUR BASED ON INTELLIGENCE INPUTS FROM DELHI AND TELANGANA