Is Karnataka safe?
This is the question hovering in everyone’s mind following the arrest of the terrorists in North Karnataka, who were caught with maps, plans, CDs and pen drives, giving a hint that several important locations of the State were in their hit-list.
The question becomes more significant when police officials say that there could be several terror module functioning in the State.
“The terror module busted recently was different from the one unearthed at various parts of the State. We have only one person involved in the IISc attack and we have yet to interrogate him to find out which terror module he belongs to,” said a senior police officer.
The DG &IG K R Srinivasan too admitted that Karnataka is not untouched from the terror module.
“We busted separate modules in Kolar, Bijapur, Gulbarga and Mysore. Each terror module may either be linked or may not be knowing about each other.” When this question was tossed towards the DGP (CoD) Ajai Kumar Singh, he said Karnataka is not an exception when terrorism has spread its tentacles across India.
Terror Cell
Looking into the growing terror activities, the Karnataka police have decided to constitute a special anti terror squad for the state and Bangalore.
IISC SHOOTOUT
Dec 28, 2005: Two terrorists attack IISc, killing scientist Prof MC Puri and injuring four others. Police find an unexploded hand grenade at the site, an AK-56 assault rifle and a bag with some clothes of alleged killer. Police release a sketch of the assailant based on description given by the eyewitnesses.
2006: Bangalore police arrest seven people reportedly linked to IISc attack. The arrested included LeT’s South India chief Abdul Rehman, from Nalgonda in Andhra Pradesh and others from Bangalore, Kolar, Bagalkot and Chintamani. They allegedly confess to planning attacks on Kaiga nuclear plant, Alamatti dam and other vital installations in the State. Same year, the seven are chargesheeted under Sections 120, 121A, 122, 153A amounting to hatching criminal conspiracy against government of India, waging war against the Union of India and carrying a conspiracy for communal disharmony), Explosive Substances Act, Arms Act and Unlawful (Prevention) Activities Acts.
The case is pending trial in the Sessions Court, Bangalore.
Feb 10, 2008: UP police arrest six alleged LeT militants at Rampur and Lucknow. One of them, Sabauddin, reportedly confesses to his involvement in IISc attack along with LeT operative Abu Hamza.
Trail of militancy in Karnataka
Oct 2006: Two alleged Pakistani nationals of Pakistan-based Al Badar militant outfit Mohammed Ali Hussain and Mohammed Fahad arrested in Mysore.
Jan 2007: Bangalore police arrest Imran Bilal, a suspected terrorist from Jammu and Kashmir who had planned to carry out terror attacks on Vidhana Soudha and IT firms
July 2007: Bangalore-based Kafeel Ahmed and Sabeel Ahmed arrested in the UK for plotting terror attacks on Glasgow Airport.
Jan 2008: Two suspected terrorists Riyazuddin Naseer and Asadulla arrested by Honnali Police.
