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NIA books three more terror suspects in Kerala as probe expands
The three men are said to have been in touch with Riyas Aboobacker who wanted to be a suicide bomber and who was arrested on April 29 from Palakkad.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) probing the suspected Islamic State terror module in Kerala has booked three more persons from the state for their alleged involvement in terror activities, according to sources in the agency.
The three men are Abubacker Siddique and Ahmad Arafath from Kasargode and Mohamad Faizal, a resident of Karunagapally (Kollam).
The first two have been detained and the third is still at large, said sources in the NIA. On April 29, it had arrested a person from Palakkad, Riyas Aboobacker (29) alias Abu Dujana who wanted to be a suicide bomber.
Sources said all three were in regular touch with Aboobacker and were planning to carry out terror attacks in the state.
The agency has moved a remand plea in the NIA court in Kochi on Monday seeking five-day custody of Aboobacker. In the remand application it said Aboobacker plotted a terror attack in Kerala and was in constant touch with many leaders of terror network including Abdul Raashid Abdulla, the leader of the missing 21 people from north Kerala’s Kasargode who reportedly joined the Islamic State three years ago.
It also said Aboobacker and his associates were trying hard to propagate the IS ideology in Kerala and desperate to carry out attacks in the state. During preliminary interrogation Aboobacker reportedly told the NIA that he was following speeches of Zahran Hashim, brain behind the Lankan bombings and controversial preacher Zakir Naik, for more than a year and was eager to carry out a terror attack in a tourist spot in Kerala frequented by foreigners.
He also said he was ready for a suicide attack but his friends had let him down by not providing explosives and logistic support. Following his interrogation the NIA had raided many hideouts of suspects in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and seized incriminating documents, sources said. At least 60 people from both Kerala and Tamil Nadu were under the NIA’s observation.
After the Easter bombings in Sri Lanka which killed more than 250 people, intelligence agencies have increased their vigil in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Two days ago Lankan army chief General Mahesh Senanayaka said some of the bombers who carried out attacks in his country had visited Kashmir and Kerala.
On Sunday, Jammu and Kashmir Police chief Dilbag Singh said there was no record to suggest that any of Sri Lankan suicide bombers had visited Kashmir.
