3 IM men from Bhatkal convicted for '15 blasts

THE Special Court for NIA Cases convicted three Indian Mujahideen operatives for hatching a conspiracy to carry out blasts ahead of the then US President Barack Obama's visit to India for Republic Day in 2015, as per instructions from Pakistan.

- YATHIRAJU

Dr Syed Ismail Afaaque, Abdul Subair and Saddam Husen, all residents of Bhatkal, have been convicted of offences punishable under the provisions of IPC, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Explosive Substances Act. Afaaque married Arsala Abeer of Karachi in Pakistan.

A case in this regard was registered at Pulakeshinagar police station in the city in 2015 and it was investigated and chargesheeted by the then Central Crime Branch ACP Thammaiah MK under the guidance of the then Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) M Chandrashekar. SPP Shankar Bikkannanavar led the prosecution.