Keralite terrorist confesses

BANGALORE: The Kerala terrorist Sarfaraz Nawaz has confessed to his role in the Bangalore serial blasts following intense interogation by the Anti-Terror Squad of Karnataka police. Sarfaraz, a SIMI activist, who had links with terror outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba, has been arrested in connection with the blasts of July 25 last year, which left one dead and 12 injured, taking the number of arrests to 10 in the case.

The New Indian Express had reported on March 5, that Sarfaraz was brought from Muscat by RAW and he was being interrogated by the ATS of Karnataka police.

Police Commissioner Shankar Bidari said Sarfaraz Nawaz, 31, had arranged funds for those carrying out the blasts and did a recce of the city before the blasts. Sarfaraz said during interrogation that he had become a member of SIMI in 1995 and came in contact with various important leaders.

He had attended a course at Nadwat-ul-Ulema in Lucknow during 1995-98 and obtained graduation in Aalimyiat.

Sarfaraz came to Delhi in 2000 and started working as secretary at SIMI head office.

There he came in contact with his associates Safdar Nagori, Abdul Aleem Ishalahi, Adnan of Karnataka, Shibly and Sameer of Kerala.

In 2001, he left for Muscat where he met some Keralabased SIMI leaders. In 2006, he met Bangalore blast accused Nazir alias Haji Ummer of Kannur and discussed ‘Deen’ and ‘Jihad.’ He met Wali alias Rehan, a Pakistani and a member of LeT in January 2007. He also met one Ali, an Omani national, through Wali in July of that year. During Ramzan in 2007, Sarfaraz came to Kerala and held discussions with his associates Aftab alias Abdul Rehman Nazir alias Haji Ummer and Abdul Jabbar regarding Jihadi operations and sending some youths for training to Pakistan. After that he went back to Oman but stayed in touch with Nazir. Bangalore was selected as the target for carrying out the serial bomb blasts on Wali’s advice.

Sarfaraz came to India in March 2008 and visited Bangalore along with Nazir.

Along with Nazir, he recced places where bombs could be placed along. Sarfaraz arranged for funds to be made available to Nazir to carry out the blasts. The funds were arranged with Wali’s help.

Sarfaraz was in constant touch with Nazir on preparations to execute the blasts.

After the blasts, he called up Nazir to send some youths for training to Pakistan with Wali’s help.

Five youths-Aftab, Fais, Abdul Jabbar, Fayazz and Yasin—were sent to Srinagar.

In November, Sarfaraz and Wali fled to Bangladesh after they were informed that the Bangalore police were close on their heels.

In December, Sarfaraz, along with two other LeT members, had also discused plans to attack some prominent scientists of India and other important personalities.

Sarfaraz has been remanded in police custody till March 14. On February 7, nine persons were arrested in connection with the case.

Responses