Ballari: 2 terror suspects arrested by NIA bought ammonium nitrate

Team Udayavani, Dec 24, 2023, 9:12 AM IST

Ballari: Two of the terror suspects arrested by NIA had reportedly bought ammonium nitrate from a fertilizer shop in the city.

Sources said that the accused – Mohammed Suleiman and Syed Sameer – admitted to having bought one kg of ammonium nitrate on October 22, during interrogation by NIA officials.

Ammonium nitrate, which is a used widely fertilizer, can also be used as an explosives agent.

Investigators suspect there was a plan to use the substance to make an experimental explosive. However, no bill from that date was found in the store, and there’s no record of his visit, sources said.

On December 18, NIA officials conducted raids on suspects links with the banned PFI and ISIS in Bengaluru and Ballari and arrested 4 persons of Ballari origin – including Sulieman and Sameer.  Mohammad Suleiman was pursuing a law degree in Bengaluru, and Syed Sameer is a BCA student in Ballari.

It’s alleged that Sameer aimed to attract college youth to a terrorist organization. He reportedly attempted to manipulate and entice young people into joining the ISIS terrorist group.