The investigations into the explosives and arms recovered from the Indian Mujahideen module smashed a few days ago has led the intelligence agencies to Udupi in Karnataka. Sources say there is credible information to believe Udupi has emerged as a major South India hub for the supply of explosives and ammunitions to terrorists.
It is suspected that the explosives used in the blasts at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium and Pune’s German Bakery were sourced from Udupi.
While Udupi’s name has figured in earlier terror-related investigations, such as the 2008 operation against Indian Mujah-ideen, the sources said this time the information is “more concrete”. They said it appears Udupi is now a major transit point for terror modules, particularly in the South.
Interrogation of the six arrested Indian Mujah-ideen terrorists indicates that Ahmad Siddi Bappa, alias Shahrukh alias Yasin Bhatkal, sourced explosives for both the Bengaluru and Pune blasts from an Udipi contact. With the police remand of these six extended another 10 days, some might be taken to Udupi for further investigations in the next few days. “We managed to get leads about some suspects and networks in and around Udupi who have helped terror modules with logistical support,” a senior official said.
In a recent case, the police recovered two AK-47s and over 5 kg of explosives, some of which might be RDX, from Udupi. It is suspected some members of the banned Simi operating in the Udupi area might be giving logistical aid to terror modules in South.