KOZHIKODE: A Crime Branch Special Investigation Group is likely to comb various parts of Kannur district to dig out suspected terror links. The Special Investigation Group has decided to extend its probe to Kannur as all the five accused in the Kozhikode twin blasts case have links with Kannur, a top official with the Crime Branch told 'Express'.
Crime Branch officials expressed hope that more persons involved in various terrorist activities would be identified by taking Abdul Halim, the third accused in the case, to Kannur.
With this new move of the Special Investigation Group, the focus shifts from certain pockets of Kollam and Malappuram - believed to have been feeding centres of terrorism - to Kannur.
Of the 22 accused facing trial at Thalassery Additional District Sessions Court, 12 are natives of Kannur.
According to Crime Branch Special Investigation Group III of Kozhikode, Halim, in his statement, admitted that he had made in Kannur the bombs used for the Kozhikode twin blasts. He had handed over the bombs to the first accused in the case, Nazir, a native of Neerchal in Kannur.
As the second accused of the case, Azar (who belongs to Panur in Kannur district), is said to have imparted training to Halim in bomb making, the officials are likely to probe this other side of terror in Kannur.
They also believe that by expanding their investigation to Kannur they can net more persons involved in terrorist activities. The fourth and fifth accused in the case are Shafas, 25, a native of Thayyil in Kannur, and Abdul Jaleel of Kadachira near Kannur.
The Crime Branch will also investigate whether Halim and the other suspects in the Kozhikode twin blasts case are involved in the SM Street explosion and Beypore blast cases.