Suspect ‘inspired’ by global terror outfit
MANGALURU: Karnataka Police has found raw materials which are used in making explosives from the house of the main accused in the Mangaluru autorickshaw blast case, officials said on Monday, adding that the man was “influenced and inspired” by a global terrorist organization.
The raw materials were recovered from Mohammed Shariq’s rented accommodation during a raid in Mysuru on Sunday, additional director general of police (law and order) Alok Kumar said.
“We found matchbox, sulphur, phosphorus, batteries, circuit and nut and bolts from the (Shariq’s rented) house (in Mysuru). Mohan Kumar, the owner of the house, was not aware of these activities,” Kumar said.
He added that the police are trying to find out the 24-year old’s links with people outside Karnataka.
“His handler was Abdul Mateen Taha from Suddagunte
palya (in Bengaluru) on whom the National Investigation Agency has announced a reward of Rs five lakh,” ADGP Kumar said on Monday. Shariq was “influenced and inspired” by a (terrorist) organisation with global presence, Kumar added.
On Saturday, a blast occurred inside a moving auto in Mangaluru, injuring both the driver and the passenger, Mohammed Shariq, who is also the main suspect in the case. Shariq suffered burn injuries and was currently under treatment and was unable to speak. Karnataka Police and the state chief minister on Sunday said the explosion was “an act of terror” with intention to cause serious damage. It was caused by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) that was being carried by Shariq who has suspected links to the Islamic State (IS), chief minister Basavaraj Bommai and police officials said on Sunday.
“Prima facie, this is a terror act. The state police are investigating the matter and as per the primary information, it [the explosion] was because of an IED instrument,” Bommai said. Praveen Sood, the state’s director general of police and inspector general of police (DGP&IGP) said they were bringing central agencies on board to probe the incident.
“It’s confirmed now. The blast is not accidental but an act of terror with the intention to cause serious damage. Karnataka State Police is probing deep into it along with central agencies,” he had tweeted. A senior police officer privy to the details of the investigation said they found a burnt pressure cooker and batteries connected to an “electronic device” from the wrecked auto, which confirmed the presence of an IED.
“The suspects made an IED, but we have not found any sign of ammonium nitrate (a powerful chemical used in bomb-making). Even though a forensic analysis is pending, we suspect they have used gunpowder or chemicals used for making matchboxes,” said the officer.
Officers said the IED accidentally exploded inside the auto. “We suspect that the bomb accidentally exploded while he [the suspect] was on his way. What we gather is that since he used highly inflammable material to make the IED and kept it inside a pressure cooker, it exploded due to friction. FSL will be able to verify it in the coming days,” said a senior state intelligence department official.
According to police, Shariq was a part of a terror module that wanted to establish an IS province in South India. Shariq was first arrested in December 2020 in connection with pro-IS graffiti. He was later released on bail.
During an investigation into a stabbing incident in Shivamogga earlier in the year, the police busted an alleged terror module with suspected links to IS.
“We suspect that after Shivamogga police action, he [Shariq] went to Tamil Nadu, procured the material for the bomb, took accommodation in Mysuru using fake documents, and made the bomb,” said a senior intelligence department official
Police also recovered an Aadhaar card and mobile phone from the auto, officers said, adding that during the investigation they found that the suspect was using someone else’s details for the identity card.