Who is Mohammed Shariq? The terror suspect in Mangaluru auto-rickshaw blast case

Team Udayavani, Nov 20, 2022, 8:21 PM IST

Mohammed Shariq (credit: NDTV)

Shivamogga: The auto passenger has been identified as the main suspect in the blast that took place in an autorickshaw in Mangaluru on Saturday evening.

The suspect prima facie identified as Mohammed Shariq was reportedly involved in militant activities.

Meanwhile, Thirthahalli police are bringing terror suspect Shariq’s stepmother to Mangaluru for positive identification, ADGP Alok Kumar said at Mangaluru on Sunday.

The ADGP however declined to comment on the criminal and terror antecedents of the suspect until further probe.

Shariq’s background

Shariq is the son of Hasim who was a cloth merchant from Thirthahalli in Shivamogga. Following in his father’s footsteps, Shariq also got involved in the textile business. For some time, he ran a cloth shop with his father in Theerthahalli.

After losing his father and mother, Shariq lived with his stepmother (his father’s second wife) and her son.

Notoriety

It is gathered that Shariq joined the extremist outfit through his links with Mateen, a member of the Al Hind IS module who has been absconding since 2020. Sources claimed he was highly radicalized and was reportedly involved in recruiting youths for terror activities.

Shariq was the main accused in the pro-terrorism graffiti on walls in Mangaluru. He was released on bail in the case. He had been booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) but was out on bail in the case.

Shariq was also wanted by police in a terror case. In September 2022, the police arrested Two terror suspects — Maaz and Yasin from Bhadravathi. Police suspected the two accused were working for Mohammed Shariq and had reportedly carried out bomb blast trials on the banks of the Tunga river.

According to a PTI report, Police suspect that Shariq had links with those who had carried out a car blast in Coimbatore in October ahead of Deepavali. On October 23, a youth was charred to death when a cylinder exploded in a moving car outside a temple in Coimbatore. The case is being probed by the NIA.

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