TN cops on alert after reports of extremist intrusion from Kerala

Following the intelligence alert, the police intensified vehicle checks on interstate borders, railway stations and bus stands in Salem, Tirupur and Coimbatore districts on Thursday. Also, the police personnel have been deployed in religious institutions and at vital installations. Surprise checks were also carried out on passengers in trains and buses.

Police protection has been given to Hindu outfit leaders as a precautionary measure. The police have also carried out a search for the infiltrators in crowded locations with their photographs shared by the intelligence agency from Delhi. However, there was no specific information on the outfit they belonged to and their motive.

Meanwhile, the NIA sleuths secured three men from Salem, suspected to be associated with Liyakath Ali, a radical leader and a murder suspect from Salem district. He was administering WhatsApp group ‘Martyrdom Our Goal’ to work for the release of Muslim fundamentalists lodged in Tamil Nadu besides working on a mission to eliminate Hindu leaders. 

“The three men from Salem had bought 10 SIM cards by furnishing fake address proof in shops for Liyakath Ali. They gave him SIM cards knowing well that he may be using it for extremist activities. An inquiry is on with them,” said a police source.

Liyakath Ali was arrested by the NIA officials a year ago. After coming out on bail, he went into hiding. It was during a search in his house in Ammapet two months ago that the NIA seized several SIM cards. He was in hiding in Kerala and is said to be involved in recruiting youth for IS organisation.