Abubacker Siddique, kingpin of 2013 Malleswaram BJP office blast, arrested by T.N. police
The police said that he is a member of Al Umma, a Tamil Nadu-based organisation, which was banned after a pipe bomb attack on veteran BJP leader L.K. Advani in Coimbatore in 1998.
On April 17, 2023, a time bomb placed on an old bike exploded in front of the BJP office, injuring a total of 17, including a college-going girl, who sustained severe injuries to her leg.
The Central Crime Branch (CCB), Bengaluru city police, which investigated the case, unearthed a terror module allegedly put together by Abubacker Siddique from the remnants of Al Umma. The organisation was known to target only Hindutva activists, organisations and establishments.
'The bike on which the time bomb was placed led us to a used bike dealer in Tamil Nadu, who gave the number of one of those who bought the said bike. The SIM card was also stolen. But using technical analysis, we made the first arrests, and their interrogation led us to unravel the entire module,' a senior police official involved in the probe into the blast recalled.
Tamil Nadu police were probing a series of targeted murders of Hindutva activists in the State in 2013, when the bomb blast happened in front of the BJP office in Bengaluru. The same module busted by the city police turned out to be behind those cases as well.
Following the initial arrests, including that of Kichan Buhari, one of the key conspirators, three other key accused in the case - Panna Ismail, Police Fakruddin and Bilal Mallik - were arrested after a fierce gun battle in which an accused and a police officer were injured in Puttur, Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh. Panna Ismail had parked the explosive-laden bike in front of the BJP office, the police said.
'Their interrogation revealed that the leader of the module, who had put it together, was Abubacker Siddique, who had been on the run since 1995. Siddique was a shadowy figure, known to be very radicalised. There were many alarming reports about him. Some reports even suggested that it was linked to Al Qaeda and is said to have gone and fought in the Afghan war against American forces post 9/11. All efforts to nab him did not yield any results,' a senior police official from the State, who pursued the elusive terror operative for many years, said.
Abubacker Siddique has been listed as an absconding accused in the BJP office blast case chargesheet. The officials said that the city police will shortly move the court to seek his custody in the case.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
13 minutes ago
- Time of India
Business community raises alarm over recent high-profile killings across state
Patna: A recent surge in criminal incidents across Bihar, particularly the brutal murder of prominent businessman Gopal Khemka, has triggered widespread concern. Alarming statistics and a string of high-profile killings have shaken the police. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Khemka, a well-known businessman and owner of Magadh Hospital, was shot dead around 11.45pm on July 4 at the main gate of his apartment in the Gandhi Maidan police station area of Patna. The murder has not only exposed glaring security lapses in the capital but also drawn attention to a disturbing and escalating pattern of violence targeting businesspersons across the state. In just the first half of 2025, at least eight prominent members of Bihar's business community have fallen victim to fatal attacks. These include real estate developer Anjani Singh, who was gunned down near the Kandap PACS warehouse in Patna; land dealer Razi Ahmad, killed in Nalanda; and Bhagalpur-based grocery merchant Vinay Gupta, who was shot by masked men. Other victims include real estate businessman Ramesh Chandra in Muzaffarpur, jeweller Sanjay Agarwal in Gaya, hospital owner Surbhi in Patna, and cloth merchant Vinod Mehta in Bhagalpur. The statistics are chilling. From Jan to May 2025 alone, Patna recorded 116 murders, averaging one killing every 25 hours. The capital also saw 48 robberies, 36 rapes, 10 incidents of dacoity, 33 cases of chain snatching and 13 instances of extortion. The alarming rise in violent crime prompted a major reshuffle in June with the transfer of the central range inspector general (IG), Patna senior superintendent of police (SSP) and three city superintendents of police (city SPs). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Among the most shocking cases was that of Anjani Singh, a land dealer who was shot dead on the night of June 22 near the Kandap PACS warehouse on the Sohgi-Kandap road in Punpun, Patna. Singh was attacked by bike-borne assailants who shot him at close range below the neck. On June 19, land dealer Razi Ahmad was murdered in Panhesa village of Nalanda district. Police arrested five suspects in connection with the case and recovered the weapon used in the killing. Earlier on May 4, Vinay Gupta, a grocery store owner, was shot dead by masked criminals in the Naugachia Market area of Bhagalpur's Hadia Patti. While an investigation is underway, no arrests have been made so far. In another high-profile case, Ramesh Chandra, a real estate businessman, was shot outside his office in Muzaffarpur in March. Police managed to arrest two suspects, though the key conspirator remains at large. On March 22, Surbhi, the director of a private hospital in Patna, was shot dead inside her office chamber. Her husband and several others have been arrested in connection with her murder. April saw the killing of Gaya-based jeweller Sanjay Agarwal, who was murdered during a robbery at his shop. The incident is believed to be linked to extortion threats he had received. In Jan, Bhagalpur cloth merchant Vinod Mehta was stabbed to death near his residence. Investigators suspect motives of extortion or personal enmity. The killings have sent shockwaves through the state's business community. President of the Bihar Industries Association, K P S Keshari, expressed serious concern over the spate of attacks. "We demand police patrolling to be increased in commercial and sensitive areas. A secure and favourable environment for industries in the state. The intelligence network should be strengthened. Intensive police checks should be arranged at the entry and exit points of the city," he said.
Mint
15 minutes ago
- Mint
Karnataka BJP MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi's son fires gun in air during Lakshmi Devi temple festival, booked under arms act
Former Karnataka Minister and BJP MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi's son, Santosh Jarkiholi, has been booked by the police following a video emerged showing him allegedly firing a gun in the air during a temple fair in Gokak, reported PTI on Sunday. On Friday, during the annual fair of Laxmi temple festival in Gokak town in Belagavi district, the incident occurred. Santosh was seen celebrating amid a crowd by firing in the air. The video of the incident has gone viral on social media. The Gokak Town Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Santosh Jarkiholi on Saturday and booked him for the illegal use of a firearm in a public gathering. Police claimed that Santosh, who was covered in yellow powder, was among a large crowd when he was seen using a double-barrelled gun to fire shots into the air. His supporters were cheering as he fired shots. Santosh reportedly carried out the act in the presence of a significant police deployment at the venue. Speaking to reporters Belagavi District Superintendent of Police Dr Bhimashankar Guled confirmed the development. 'We have come across the video showing Ramesh Jarkiholi's son firing shots into the air in a public place. Displaying firearms and firing in public is an offence. Based on this, we have registered a suo motu case and further legal action will follow after a detailed investigation,' Hans India quoted the SP as saying to the reporters. Home Minister G Parameshwara stated that the state the matter was being taken seriously. "A formal complaint has been filed, and legal action will follow accordingly. The police will perform their duty without succumbing to any kind of pressure. No one is above the law," he said, assuring a transparent investigation into the case. Santosh may be summoned for questioning soon, officials have indicated.
Hindustan Times
19 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Punjab Police foil target killing plot linked to Canada-based gangster, 3 arrested
In a major breakthrough, Moga Police, along with the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) and Counter-Intelligence, successfully foiled a target killing plot planned by Canada-based gangster Lakhvir Singh alias Landa Harike. Police personnel stand guard during a protest in Patiala. (Representational Image/ANI) Police arrested three key operatives who, according to initial investigations, were acting on Landa Harike's instructions to kill Dr Aniljeet Kamboj. In a post on X, DGP Punjab Police wrote, 'In a major breakthrough,@MogaPolice, in a joint operation with Anti-Gangster Task Force (#AGTF) & Counter-Intelligence, foils a target killing plot orchestrated by #Canada-based Gangster Lakhvir Singh @ Landa Harike and apprehends three key operatives.' An exchange of fire took place during the operation, in which the accused were shot in the legs. All three were taken to the Civil Hospital for treatment. Based on human intelligence and technical surveillance, the joint team dismantled the gang's plan and prevented a serious threat to public safety. "Preliminary investigation reveals that the arrested accused were acting on the directions of Lakhvir Singh @ Landa Harike to eliminate Dr. Aniljeet Kamboj. During the operation, an exchange of fire took place between the police and the accused, in which the accused sustained gunshot injuries to their legs. They have been shifted to Civil Hospital for treatment. Backed by human intelligence and technical inputs, the team successfully dismantled this targeted killing module, averting a serious threat to public safety," the post read. The police recovered two pistols (.30 bore) with 10 live cartridges, one pistol (.32 bore) with three live cartridges, and a car used by the accused. An FIR has been registered at the Fatehgarh Panjtoor police station. Further investigation is ongoing to uncover more links connected to this gang. "Recovery: 2 pistols (.30 bore) with 10 live cartridges, 1 pistol (.32 bore) with 3 live cartridges and 1 car. An FIR has been registered at PS Fatehgarh Panjtoor. Further investigation is underway to trace the module's forward and backward linkages. @PunjabPoliceIndremains committed to a zero-tolerance policy against gangsters and to ensuring public safety through well-coordinated, intelligence-led operations," the post further read.
