Bengaluru: A suspected terror module was busted on Thursday in Karnataka and a huge cache of explosives was seized.
Those arrested may be operatives of of the banned Indian Mujahideen (IM) but there was no official confirmation of the same.
At the same time media reports said that their possible role in the recent Bengaluru blast that killed a woman and injured three others was being probed.
Commissioner of Police, MN Reddi, confirmed that two people had been arrested from Bhatkal, as per ANI.
He added that “simultaneous raids were conduct in Bangalore and Bhatkal and substantial quantity of explosive material and equipments were recovered.”
Ammonium nitrate, detonators, electronic timer devices, digital circuits, circuit making material, PVC pipes, gel based explosive material and fuel oil were seized, he said, adding, that the communication equipment found is being examined to find out whether they could be an 'additive' for the explosions device, as per PTI.
Reddi gave the names of the arrested as Syed Ismail Aafaque, aged 34, Saddam Hussein, 35, and Abdus Sabuur, 24, an MBA student, saying they were found to be in regular interaction with other members of the banned organisations.
He said two men were arrested at Pulikeshinagar in Bengaluru and another at Bhatkal.
During the raid on a house at Pulikeshinagar, police found several "incriminating" materials comprising communication equipment, cell phones, laptops and other equipment, he said.
Initial information showed that they were operating under the direct instructions of a handler in the higher rungs within their organisation, he revealed.
To a query, he said, there was no "direct link" of the arrested alleged IM operatives to the December 28 blast on Church Street here, but their suspected role was being probed.
"Prima facie we do not see connection with the Church street blast. However nothing could be ruled out at this stage.The handler is based out of this country.”
The "quantity and sophistication of the incriminating material" and equipment for manufacturing explosive devices found in Bhatkal as well some of the incriminating electronic materials seized in Pulikeshinagar suggested that "it is part of a larger scheme of things," Reddi said.
Further investigation was being taken up jointly by the Bengaluru police and the Internal Security Division of the Karnataka police, he said.
Cases have been registered under various sections of the Explosive Substances Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
One woman was killed and three injured in a blast in front of a famous restaurant in the heart of Bengaluru city on December 28.
The blast, which was of low-intensity, took place outside an eating joint called Coconut Grove restaurant in busy Church Street area. The IED wrapped in a plastic bag and suspected to have been placed in a bushy plant went off around 8.30 pm in front of the restaurant.
With Agency inputs
