Terror cell busted: Two held in Andhra-Telangana joint operation; hunt on for four others

The suspects, identified as Syed Sameer from Warasiguda in Hyderabad and Siraj-ur-Rehman from Vizianagaram, were apprehended in a coordinated operation spanning Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Hyderabad: In a joint operation, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana police arrested two young men suspected of planning bomb attacks in Hyderabad and other parts of the country.

The suspects, identified as Syed Sameer from Warasiguda in Hyderabad and Siraj-ur-Rehman from Vizianagaram, were apprehended in a coordinated operation spanning both states on Saturday.

Intelligence agencies revealed that the duo had received directives from Islamic State handlers based in Saudi Arabia. Police confirmed that the suspects had purchased bomb-making materials including ammonium sulfate and aluminum powder, with plans to assemble explosive devices in Hyderabad.

Reports indicate they had already selected locations to test their homemade bombs. Police noted that Siraj-ur-Rehman's father and brother are serving in the police department in Vizianagaram.

After completing his B-Tech, Siraj worked at various locations throughout Hyderabad, where police believe he established connections with terrorist modules. Evidence suggested he purchased bomb-making components ammonia, sulfur, and aluminum powder through online channels.

Intelligence officials had been monitoring Siraj's activities for six months, noting his pattern of posting pro-Pakistan content on social media platforms. Syed Sameer's involvement was only found after Siraj's interrogation, leading to his arrest by Hyderabad police. Both suspects have been produced in a court on Monday in Vizianagaram and have been remanded to judicial custody as the investigation continues.

National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials arrived in Vizianagaram on Monday to launch an extensive probe into the recently uncovered terrorist conspiracy. According to Vizianagaram police, the two arrested suspects were part of a larger six-member cell that had established a dedicated group on a social media platform where they received operational instructions from handlers based in Saudi Arabia.

Police found a concerning division of responsibilities within the terror cell. While the two arrested individuals Syed Sameer and Siraj-ur-Rehman were reportedly tasked by Islamic State handlers in Saudi Arabia with bomb-making, the four remaining members had allegedly been assigned specific locations for planting these explosive devices.

Police have now intensified their search operations to locate and apprehend the four additional suspects still at large.