NIA likely to take over probe on K'taka blast

BENGALURU: The probe into an explosion in an auto-rickshaw in Mangaluru last week is likely to be handed over to the National Investigation Agency, officials familiar with the matter said on Monday, even as the Karnataka Police expanded the scope of their probe to Tamil Nadu and Kerala after it emerged that the suspect in the "act of terror" recently visited the two states.

- Arun Dev

On Monday, the police conducted raids at seven locations across Karnataka, including the house of the main suspect, Mohammed Shariq, in Mysuru. Over 150 matchboxes, sulphur, phosphorous, batteries, circuits, and nuts, and bolts - materials used in making bombs - were found from the house where Shariq was allegedly living on a stolen identity, police said.

The blast occurred in an autorickshaw on November 19, injuring its driver, Purushottam, and the passenger, who was later identified as Thirthahalli-based Shariq. The 24-year-old accused was allegedly travelling with a pressure cooker fitted with a detonator, wires, and batteries when it exploded. People familiar with the matter told ANI that "discussion (about handing over the probe to NIA) is going on high level, and there is a possibility that the case may be handed over to the NIA by late this evening or any day in this week".

Giving details of the investigation, Karnataka additional director general of police (law and order) Alok Kumar said that Shariq was "influenced and inspired" by a global terrorist organisation. "Shariq's handler was Abdul Mateen Taha from Suddaguntepalya in Bengaluru on whom the National Investigation Agency has announced a reward of 25 lakh. We believe he is in Dubai," the ADGP said.

Taha runs the Al-Hind module of the Islamic State in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

NIA cracked down on the module in 2020, alleging that "the group wanted to establish an IS province in south India", in a charge sheet filed in 2021.