Hunt for Riyas’s allies. Raids, alerts in Kerala & TN. Weapons & Bombs found.

Raids, Investigations and other developments in the week following the (29 April 2019) arrest of Riyas Aboobacker who plotted suicide attacks in Kerala. Security heightened in Kerala. A Kollam connection of Riyas found. Sri Lanka explosives possibly sourced from Kerala. Weapons and Bombs discovered in various places.

Secret meetings in Kochi 

NIA is trying to find people who took part in meetings held by Riyas in various places in Kochi including Fort Kochi and a mall near Marine-Drive. Riyas has refused to reveal their details. 

Three cities on alert 

Even after the arrest of Riyas there is still risk of attacks by his associates who are yet to be caught. Security has been stepped up at Kochi, Trivandrum and Kozhikode. Thrissur Pooram, Kodungalloor Church, Kochi Marine-Drive and Trivandrum Railway station were the main spots targeted by his group. 

Raid in Kollam 

Home of a youth from Chatthinamkulam in Kollam was raided by NIA after receiving information from Riyas. This person is currently outside the country. He is accused in more than 8 criminal offences including attempted murder. NIA has located his whereabouts outside India and will question him there. 

Raids in Alappuzha 

Alappuzha is also on high alert being a coastal district. Vehicles, houseboats and nearby railway stations were searched. 

Raids in Tamilnadu offices of SDPI / PFI 

In wake of Srilankan attacks, SDPI and National Tawheed Jamaat (NTJ) are raided in Tamilnadu. Information collected from Riyas has led to a raid in Thiruchirappalli (Trichy). 

Explosives from Kerala 

Explosives used in Sri Lanka attacks seems to have been sourced from Kerala and Tamilnadu and accumulated over a long period of time. It is reported that training camps for bomb-making were also held in Kerala and Tamilnadu. 

Weapons found in abandoned car. 

A white Tata Nano found abandoned in Tanur, Malappuram raised suspicions. On search police found Machetes and steel rods in the trunk. The car is registered to a Shafeeque. Tanur was a hotspot for violence on the day of Islamist hartal related to Asifa case. 

Bombs found in Nadapuram

13 pipe bombs and 3 steel bombs were found in a plot owned by a Musa in Nadapuram, Kozhikode. Nadapuram is known for political and communal violence and bomb incidents involving CPM and IUML.