Auto Blast Suspect Radicalised by Global Terror Network, Say Karnataka Police
Mangaluru: The man behind the auto-rickshaw blast on November 19 was radicalised by a terror outfit with international links, Karnataka Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Alok Kumar disclosed on Monday. Addressing the media in Mangaluru, the senior officer stated that Shariq, the prime suspect, was "influenced and inspired" by a globally active terrorist organisation.
Shariq's step-mother and sister have confirmed his identity, the ADGP added. The suspect previously faced charges in the November 2020 terror graffiti cases in Mangaluru. In August, Shivamogga police had listed him as wanted in a communal tension case involving the stabbing of two persons over posters of Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkar. Co-accused Maaz and Sayed Yaseen were arrested under UAPA in that matter, while Shariq fled Shivamogga during a raid in September.
According to the ADGP, Shariq carried a low-intensity pressure cooker bomb that detonated near Naguri. Investigators are yet to determine if he received bomb-making training or learned the skill independently. The accused had visited Coimbatore, Kerala, and Mysuru, where he rented a room. Police recovered explosive materials — including sulphur, phosphorus, matchboxes, nuts, bolts, and circuits — from that room. An Aadhaar card found with Shariq belonged to Premraj Kutagi, a railway employee.
"Shariq's landlord Mohan in Mysuru was unaware of his activities. He came to Mangaluru a week earlier to confirm the blast location," the ADGP said. Shariq posed in ISIS style, and Arafath of Theerthahalli — the fourth accused in the graffiti case — planned the blast and instructed Shariq. Raids at Arafath's house yielded additional materials. Abdul Matheen Tahais, the alleged mastermind, has been absconding since 2019. A Rs 5 lakh reward has been announced for his capture.
Shariq, a B.Com graduate, arrived in Mangaluru via Mysuru, Hunasur, Madikeri, Puttur, and BC Road by bus. At Naguri bus station near Pumpwell Junction, he boarded an auto-rickshaw carrying a pressure cooker fitted with a detonator, wires, and batteries. The blast around 5 pm set the vehicle on fire. Driver Purushottam sustained burn injuries; Shariq suffered 40% burns and is hospitalised at Father Muller Hospital. Police are probing possible links to Jamesha Mubeen, who died in a Coimbatore LPG cylinder explosion on October 23. Shariq stayed in Coimbatore in September. Authorities are also questioning Surendran of Ooty, whose Aadhaar details Shariq used to buy a SIM card.
📰 Source: New Indian Express Mangalore