Hyderabad, May 03: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has reportedly picked up a top militant belonging to Hyderabad from Karnataka and brought him to the city on Sunday.
Sources told that the terrorist was captured at Davengere in Karnataka early in the morning following specific information. Not willing to disclose his name, they said the jihadi was from Hyderabad and had been on the most wanted list for the past several years.
When asked if it could be Syed Viqaruddin, for whom the city police has been hunting for several months, the sources said Viqaruddin’s movements were traced to Gulbarga some time ago where he was reportedly taking shelter after fleeing Hyderabad. They, however, did not confirm whether the arrested was indeed Viqaruddin.
Viqaruddin had opened fire at the Counter-Intelligence sleuths at Santoshnagar in December 2008 and fled the city. His role is also suspected in the shootout at Falaknuma on May 18 last year, the second anniversary of Mecca Masjid bomb blast, in which one policeman was killed. Sources said NIA officials were in touch with Hyderabad City Police over the last 20 days enquiring about three suspects who were in constant contact with some elements in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan to carry out a terror strike in the city.
When contacted, IGP, Davengere Zone, H N Satyanarayana Rao said he was unaware of any arrests. ‘‘If Central agencies have nabbed somebody, they do not inform local police,’’ he said.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner AK Khan told Express that he had no information about anyone being picked up from outside the State. “Over the last five days, we have been detaining some suspects and checking antecedents of rowdy-sheeters,’’ Khan said adding everyday about 25 to 30 persons were being questioned and released.
Asked if Viqaruddin was in custody, he denied saying he had no information.
The Commissioner said his teams had checked various public places, including bus stands, in the city on Sunday too in the wake of a terror alert.
‘‘We will take a call on Monday about the notices which need to be served on malls and other entertainment hubs. If they fail to step up security, action will be initiated against them,’’ Khan said.
-Agencies