Journalism of Courage
As investigation into Bangalore blast continues to revolve around SIMI operatives who fled after a blast in UP’s Bijnor district earlier this September, the state’s Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) has released both old and new photographs of these SIMI men.
These photographs, which also mention their native addresses in Madhya Pradesh, have been sent to different states. The ATS is investigating the case and has recommended announcing a reward of Rs 1 lakh for information on these six accused.
While five SIMI operatives — Shaikh Mehboob alias Gudoo alias Maliq (25), Mohammad Aslam alias Bilal (26), Amjad alias Pappu alias Daud (25), Mohammad Aijajuddin (30) and Zakir Hussain alias Sadiq (32) — had escaped from a Madhya Pradesh jail in October last year, the sixth — Mohammad Salik alias Sallu — had joined the rest in Bijnor where they were staying in separate rented houses.
While the old photographs were taken when they were arrested in MP in 2011, the latest ones were clicked a few days before their escape from the jail last year.
Following the Bangalore blast Sunday, in which a woman was killed and three others left injured, the ATS has intensified the probe in coordination with counterparts in MP and Maharashtra. “Photographs are matched with the CCTV footage captured when these operatives escaped from Bijnor. These photographs have been provided to police of other states,” said an official.
