Raids in Odisha to nab suspected terrorists

Four men tried checking into a hotel on Monday night

The Odisha Police conducted raids in several places in and around capital Bhubaneswar on Tuesday to trace and nab four suspected terrorists who were trying to check into a hotel on Monday night.

However, the suspects fled after the hotel staff got suspicious about their activities and informed the police. A red alert has already been sounded in the state following the incident. “We are investigating the case”, city police commissioner, R P Sharma said.

Police sources said: “One of the four went to the front office of the hotel located in the Master Canteen area of the capital city and asked for two rooms while three of them were waiting outside.

The man who introduced himself as an Iraqi national was speaking in English with an Arabic accent. As the city was already on high alert because of the Republic Day celebration, the hotel staff immediately informed the local police. However, the four managed to flee from the spot.” Police sources said that the four were traveling in a car carrying a New Delhi number plate. Investigation revealed that the number plate was a fake one.

Raids were still being conducted at various places. Search operations are also on in the neighbouring temple town of Puri, a major destination for both international and domestic tourists.

The case has already been handed over to the special task force (STF) of the state police. An STF team visited the hotel on Tuesday afternoon and checked the CCTV footage besides questioning the hotel staff.