Terror Hunt – Muslim political leader under spotlight

KOZHIKODE: The probe into the terror network in Kerala is centering around a prominent Muslim leader of a political party and his family. Sources said most of the accused arrested so far in the case and the suspects have strong links with the leader. Tadiyantavide Nazeer, the suspected mastermind behind the whole episode, had contacted him many times after the killing of four youths in Kashmir was brought to light.

Mujeeb, another person arrested in the case, is closely connected to the family of the leader. One of the daughters of Sainudheen, another suspect in the case, had been under the leader’s protection till the controversy broke out. The girl was shifted from the house in Ernakulam later, sources said.

Thus far the investigation into the case has been moving in the right direction as the SIT leader and the members are committed to crack the mystery. But it needs political will to take the case to a new level which may hit upon things embarrassing to the ruling front.

Sainudheen, the accused in the case related to the recovery of pipe bombs under Koomankallu bridge near Kadalundi in Malappuram district in 1993, is emerging as the major link in the terror network in Kerala.

Absconding for the past 15 years, Sainudheen is a relative of two persons involved in the network. Abdul Jabbar, who was arrested by the Special Investigation Team from Hyderabad, is married to Sainudheen’s wife’s sister. Abdul Raheem, who was killed in Kashmir, was his son-in-law.

Sainudheen is believed to be trained in the use of explosives under terrorist Imam Ali who was shot dead by the police at a hideout in Bangalore a few years ago. SIMI activists had sheltered Imam Ali at a tailoring shop near Ponnani.

Sainudheen, who is operating from Kerala evading the police net, is suspected to have attended the training camps organised by terror groups abroad, sources said.

Responses