What Happened in the Andhra Terror Plot Case?

Synopsis
In a startling incident from Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh, two men have been placed in police custody for a week due to their involvement in a suspected terror plot. This article delves into the details of their arrests, the explosive materials confiscated, and the ongoing investigations by law enforcement agencies.
Key Takeaways
- Two suspects arrested in Andhra Pradesh for an alleged terror plot.
- Explosives were discovered at one suspect’s residence.
- Investigations are being conducted by local police and the NIA.
- The suspects reportedly communicated with a handler abroad.
- Charges include violations of the Unlawful Activities Act.
Visakhapatnam, May 22 (NationPress) In a significant development, a court in Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh, has ordered the police custody of two individuals linked to a purported terror conspiracy for a duration of one week.
The police had submitted a request to the Vizianagaram District Court, aiming to detain Siraj-ur-Rehman and Sayeed Sameer for ten days to delve deeper into the alleged terror scheme.
After hearing arguments over the past two days, the District First Class Magistrate concluded on Thursday by remanding the accused into police custody for a week.
Both Siraj and Sameer are presently incarcerated in the Visakhapatnam Central Jail, where police will interrogate them over the coming week to extract further details about their supposed plot to execute bombings.
Siraj was apprehended by the Vizianagaram police after explosives were discovered at his home. This investigation subsequently led to Sameer's arrest in Hyderabad.
Sameer was transported to Vizianagaram, where the pair was initially placed in judicial custody for 14 days.
In the meantime, law enforcement has intensified its investigation, with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) also getting involved.
According to police reports, Siraj is an engineering graduate hailing from Vizianagaram, while Sameer works as a lift operator and resides in Bhoiguda, Secunderabad.
Siraj’s father is noted to be an Assistant Sub-Inspector of police, and his brother serves as a constable.
The two suspects purportedly established a group named Al-Hind Ittehadul Muslimeen to pursue their activities, which reportedly includes 12 members across cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Warangal.
It is alleged that they acquired explosives online and intended to conduct test blasts near Vizianagaram.
They reportedly communicated with a handler named Imran, located in a Middle Eastern country, via social media. The duo allegedly planned to trial the explosives on the outskirts of Vizianagaram on either May 21 or 22.
Siraj purportedly received an amount of ₹40 lakh from the handler to support the group's operations.
Acting on a tip-off, police from both Telugu states successfully thwarted their terror intentions by apprehending them.
During a raid on Siraj’s residence on May 17, various explosive materials, including ammonia, sulfur, and aluminum powder, were seized. On the same day, Sameer was arrested in Hyderabad and brought to Vizianagaram under a transit warrant.
The remand report submitted by the police includes information retrieved from the suspects’ mobile phones, revealing that they utilized applications like Instagram, WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram for communication.
Chat transcripts indicate discussions focused on targeting RSS leaders and references to the creation of improvised explosive devices.
The individuals face charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, as well as the Explosive Substances Act of 1908.