Rayachoti: How police blew cover of two terrorists who were living under fake names for 3 decades

Rayachoti (Annamayya district): Police have arrested two suspected terrorists from Tamil Nadu, who had been living under fake identities for nearly three decades, in Rayachoti town.

Police seized about 20 kg of explosives and a massive cache of bomb-making materials, raising serious security concerns.

Involvement in multiple terror attacks

The arrested men were identified as Abubacker Siddique and Mohammed Ali. Siddique is allegedly involved in the 2011 pipe-bomb planting attempt during BJP veteran L K Advani’s Rath Yatra in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. He is also accused of several other blasts across South India, police said.

Both were arrested on Monday following a joint operation by Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu police. Tamil Nadu’s Anti-Terrorism Squad traced Siddique to Rayachoti and sought assistance from local police.

Living quietly as traders

Kurnool Range DIG Koya Praveen told reporters on Thursday that the duo had settled in Rayachoti as small-time traders to avoid suspicion. Siddique married five years ago, while Ali married locally a decade ago.

“These two were involved in major terrorist activities that posed a serious threat to national security,” DIG Praveen said.

Explosives and bomb-making materials seized

During searches at their residences on Kottapalli and Mehboob Basha streets, police found nearly 20 kg of explosives, daggers, sickles, digital timers, clock switches, pull/pressure switches, gas tube arresters, speed controllers, ball bearings, nuts, and bolts.

Apart from that, the police also found binoculars, walkie-talkies, mobile phones, hacking software, maps of major Indian cities, coding manuals, ISIS-inspired literature and property documents, cheque books, and suspicious financial records.

Wives arrested for obstructing police

Police said their wives, Saira Banu and Shaikh Shameem, allegedly obstructed female officers during the searches and were arrested. Both have been remanded to Kadapa jail.

Potential for high-impact bombings

According to experts, the seized materials were sufficient to manufacture 50-60 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) or 8-10 suitcase bombs with a lethal radius of 30 metres, similar to the Bengaluru Rameshwaram Cafe blast last year. Octopus bomb disposal teams are assisting in the investigation and safe disposal of explosives.

Linked to past major blasts

Police said Siddique and Ali were allegedly involved in the Egmore and Coimbatore blasts (1995), the Kasaragod train blast (1999), and the Malleswaram bomb case (2013). One of them is also believed to have travelled to Gulf countries in the past, raising concerns over possible international links.

Cases registered under UAPA

Two cases have been registered at Rayachoti Urban Police Station under the Explosives Act, Arms Act, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and Section 132 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita.

Custodial interrogation likely

Annamayya district SP V Vidyasagar Naidu said the suspects are currently lodged in a Tamil Nadu jail. Andhra Pradesh police will soon seek custodial interrogation to unravel wider terror networks, funding routes, and additional plots.