VIJAYAWADA: In a key development in the ongoing terror link case, Kothapeta police on Wednesday took five accused into custody after securing court permission for their interrogation.
The five accused Rahmatullah, Danish, Mirza Sohail Baig, Saida Begum, and Abdul Salaam will be questioned for five days starting Thursday as part of investigation.
The accused were brought to Vijayawada from Rajahmundry Central Jail under security. Prior to being handed over to police custody, they were shifted to the GGH for mandatory medical examinations.
The court granted five-day custody considering the seriousness of the allegations and need for sustained questioning. According to police sources, the accused were earlier arrested by the Counter-Intelligence Cell for allegedly maintaining links with banned terrorist organisations such as ISIS and AQIS. Key investigations revealed that they were operating secret online groups and circulating content aimed at influencing youth toward extremist activities.
Investigators suspect the involvement of a bigger network, spanning multiple states, with some accused allegedly in contact with handlers abroad. Police have seized mobile phones and electronic devices.