Arrest of terror suspects in B’luru: Investigation intensifies, grenade source to be probed

Team Udayavani, Jul 23, 2023, 9:11 AM IST

The Central Crime Branch (CCB) in Bengaluru has taken significant steps in its investigation into the five suspects arrested for alleged connections with the terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Tayyaba and their plot to carry out acts of sabotage in the state. To gather crucial information about the grenades found in the possession of the suspects, the CCB has enlisted the cooperation of the National Bomb Data Center (NBDC) and the Forensic Science Laboratory. Additionally, efforts are underway to trace the origins of the money deposited in the suspects’ bank accounts.

One suspect, Zaheed Tabrez, reportedly received a grenade from an unidentified individual from Uttar Pradesh in Nelamangala, which he claimed belonged to his family and kept at home. However, he has not been cooperative during the inquiry. Consequently, the court has granted permission to send the grenades to the forensic laboratory for examination.

The NBDC has also been requested to analyze the grenade, looking for any previous instances of its use in the country and determining if it is a new variant. This analysis may lead to insights into the state where the grenade was manufactured.

Information about digital payment

Regarding the financial aspect, it has been discovered that the suspects received digital payments, with extremist Nasir allegedly transferring large sums of money to lure them into joining the extremist organization. Investigating the source and destination of these funds is essential. Preliminary information suggests that some transactions were carried out through hawala channels. The bank account details of the accused have already been obtained for further investigation.

Retrieving call information

In a bid to gather more evidence, the CCB is retrieving call information from the suspect’s mobile phone for the past two years. This includes verification of their contacts under the UAPA section. Despite some suspects changing SIM cards, the investigative team plans to examine all calls made from their new SIMs to identify relevant connections. WhatsApp chats and calls on the suspect’s mobile phone have also surfaced, revealing interactions with numerous individuals. Some had Android mobiles while others had basic mobiles. Efforts to retrieve data from these mobiles will be assisted by central investigative agencies.