Autorickshaw Explodes: Mangaluru blast suspect identified, accused already booked under UAPA

A moving autorickshaw exploded in Karnataka's Mangaluru on Saturday, causing fire and heavy smoke. The auto driver and a passenger were injured in the accident. Police investigation revealed that the blast was not an accident, but a terroristic conspiracy to cause grievous harm. A day after the incident, the police accelerated the investigation and identified the suspect of the blast. The blast suspect has been identified as Mohammad Shariq.

The injured passenger has been identified as Mohammad Shariq, the main accused in the blast case. The main accused in the Mangaluru blast, Mohammed Shariq (24), a resident of Thirthahalli in Shivamogga district, ran a readymade garments shop with his father. He first came under the radar of the state police when he was arrested in November 2020 for drawing pro-terrorist graffiti in Mangaluru city. Shariq was booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for drawing pro-terrorist graffiti on walls in Mangaluru. He was out on bail in this case. Not only this, but he was also absconding in a terror case and the police were looking for him.

In September this year, the police arrested two people, Maj and Yasin, from Bhadravati and recovered explosives from their house. Police suspected that both the accused were working for Mohd Shariq and police were trying to nab Shariq for questioning in the case. According to sources, on Saturday, Shariq came back to Mangaluru and used a fake Aadhaar card, and tried to execute his plan. Shareek, along with the auto driver, was injured in the blast that took place on Saturday. He had suffered 40 percent burns and is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Kankanadi.

Explosive material recovered from Shariq's house

Amidst the probe into the Mangaluru blast case, the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) Division team on Sunday reached the house rented by Shariq in Mysuru. The team recovered material used to make explosives from Shariq's residence. The FSL team recovered material used in making explosives such as gelatin powder, circuit boards, small bolts, batteries, mobiles, wooden sawdust, aluminum multimeter, wire, mixer jar, pressure cookers, etc. The investigators have also recovered a mobile phone, two fake Aadhaar cards, a fake PAN card, and a debit card from FINO Bank. It is feared that the accused was preparing explosives in his house.

Earlier, during the investigation, the police informed that the accused had rented a one-room flat in Mysore only a month back. Not only this, he had told the landlord that he had come here to do a mobile repair course.

Suspected of having links with the accused in the Coimbatore car blast case

The police suspect that the accused man may have links with those who blasted a car in Coimbatore before Diwali in October. On October 23, a youth was burnt to death when a cylinder exploded in a moving car outside a temple in Coimbatore. NIA is probing the case.

Also Read: Pakistan: Report claims- Imran Khan's party PTI continued to receive funds from abroad even after 2013