Terror links keep cops on toes

 

Police were successful in wiping out Left wing extremism, which was a major cause of concern for district for several decades, but the district seems to have become a safe haven for terrorists and their operations as suggested by few instances that took place in the past 14 years. For example, an ISI operative Azham Ghori blasted a bomb in a theatre in order to test it in Metpalli on February 7 in 2000. He was killed in a police encounter in Jagtial on April 5 in 2000. 

 

In another incident, Mohammad Imran alias Ijaz, who was believed to have links with Pak-istan-based terror outfit Laskar-e-Taiba, was killed in an encounter on November 24 of 2002. As many as 26 passengers sustained injuries when a bomb kept in a tiffin box was exploded at Karimnagar bus stand on August 9, 2005. A year later, another bomb was blasted in the bus stand and fortunately no one was injured. 

 

Evidently, these instances indicate presence of terrorists in the district. Meanwhile, the NIA’s finding with regard to the Choppandi heist has become major concern for the police department.  Vigilance agencies such as Special Branch (SB) and Naxals Infor-mation Bureau (NIB) have intensified surveillance in many towns including Karimnagar. In addition, Counter Intelligence Cell has been activated to thwart operations of the terror outfits. 

 

Police officials are keeping a tab on movement of every suspected. Recently, police launched cordon and search operations to check presence of disturbing elements in several towns of the district. It has to be seen whether district police would be able to abolish terrorism.