Theft for Terrorism, Lashkar Terrorists under arrest in Kerala

Nazeer aides held in robbery case

Pioneer News Service – Kochi

The Crime Branch of the Kerala Police has arrested two accomplices of Thadiyantavide Nazeer, South Indian commander of the LeT and prime accused in the Bangalore serial blasts case.

KP Shabeer and N Ismail alias Bomb Ismail, accused in several cases, were arrested in a case pertaining to a robbery at Kizhakkambalam in Ernakulam district ten years ago.

According to the Crime Branch, Basheer and Ismail were part of a nine-member gang involved in the robbery committed to mobilize resources for extremist activities. They reportedly told the Crime Branch officials during questioning that Nazeer too had taken part in the robbery. Basheer was arrested from Shimoga in Karnataka and Ismail was held at Kochi, the police said.

It was Nazeer who had planned the robbery in which the accused hacked a jewelry shop owner and two others to rob them of two and a half kilos of gold on June 20, 2002. The jewelry shop owner had suffered serious injuries in the attack. The gang had also scared away the people who gathered on the spot by hurling bombs, Crime Branch officials said.

Sources said that Nazeer and his extremist associates had begun to receive funds for terror activities from 2007 only and they were mobilizing money from robbery and other activities prior to that. Shabeer belongs to Kannur, from where Nazeer also hails, and Ismail to Pokkattupadi in Ernakulam district.

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