With reports on Yasin Bhatkal, co-founder of Indian Mujahideen, having visited Ernakulam before the Bangalore bomb blast out, the district has once again been brought under the scanner of Intelligence Bureau (IB), the Central intelligence agency.
Even though police sources do not have any confirmation on Yasin’s arrival, Intelligence Bureau (IB) has firm grounds to believe that Yasin visited Kochi and Aluva in 2008.
An IB official said that Yasin and Riaz Bhatkal had close connections with Jam-I-Ayyathul Ansarul Muslimeen (JIAM) which is the Kerala module of Indian Mujahideen suspected to be operating in rural parts of Ernakulam, Kannur and Kasargod districts.
“JIAM is a Kerala-based module of Indian Mujahideen which also has links with Lashkar-e-Toiba, supported by Inter Services Intelligence of Pakistan. The Kerala-based terror module worked under Indian Mujahideen but later decided to operate under the name, JIAM. This module was behind the July 25, 2008 serial blasts in Bangalore. Abdul Sattar, a native of Kannur, made 15 timers, the explosives for which were provided by Riaz. JIAM has strong roots in Kannur, Ernakulam and Kasargod districts, even though the recruits are working for different outfits including political parties,” IB officials said.
Before the Bangalore bomb blast there was a massive secret campaign for recruiting cadres and fund collection. The IB suspects that as part of the campaign, Yasin and Riaz might have travelled to different parts of the state, including Ernakulam.
The majority of the arrested in Kashmir recruitment case and Bangalore serial attack are from districts where JIAM has strongholds, including Ernakulam. The car used for Bangalore attack was stolen from Perumbavoor and timers were from Kannur.
JIAM is an outfit which concentrates on recruitment, funding and terror activities, mostly in southern states of Karnataka and Kerala.
The majority of the members of the outfits are from the two states - Mohammed Hussain Farhan, Azam, Jasim, Yusuf, Shafiq, Maulana Sultan Shah, Samir Salim Khan, Wasim, KP Sabir, Mohammed Azhar and Raisal PA to name a few.
“The name of the outfit came to light after the Bangalore bomb blast in 2008 and its role was suspected in 13/7 Mumbai blast. During the interrogation of Thadiyantavide Nazir on the Bangalore blast he confirmed the activities of JIAM in the state,” an IB official said.
Officials of State Special Branch, the Intelligence Wing of the Kerala Police, said that they didn’t have information about Yasin Bhatkal’s visit to the state. But they said that Ernakulam district is one of sensitive areas where sleeper cells of terror outfits can easily operate. K Padmakumar, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kochi Range, said that the police do not have any official information from intelligence agencies over Bhatkal’s arrival in the district.
“Even though there are several sensitive areas, we have no confirmed reports about any terror units operating from the district. The security system in Kochi is very alert leaving less chances for possible secret extremist operations here,” he said.