Karnataka police have retrieved a series of videotapes of Islamic preacher Zakir Naik from the mobile of Mohammad Shariq, the accused in the Mangaluru auto blast case, sources said on Friday. Police sources said that the charged used to disseminate Zakir Naik’s videos with Maz Muneer, Yasin, Zabi and others to radicalize them. The 24-year-old, Mohammad Shariq, hails from Tirthahalli in Shivamogga district, was taking the improvised explosive device (IED) in a cooker in an auto rickshaw when it blasted on the outskirts of Mangaluru on Saturday night.
The police have also recovered bomb-making videos from his mobile. After visiting the spot on Friday, Minister for Power, Kannada and Culture V. Sunil Kumar said that the central government is considering establishing an NIA unit in Karnataka. Sunil Kumar said, “This incident must be criticized, and people should be careful about the support system for the terror acts. The people are opposing the incidents of Praveen Kumar Nettare’s murder, and disturbing activities by the SDPI.” On Thursday, Islamic Resistance Council (IRC), an unknown Islamic outfit, took responsibility for the November 19 Mangaluru auto blast and warned of another aggression in future. The company has also warned the ADGP (Law and Order) Alok Kumar, who is stationed at Mangaluru and personally scrutinising the probes into the blast case. “Alok Kumar, your joy would be short-lived. You pay for your acts of dominance sooner,” the outfit warned.
The police sources have confirmed that they have taken the warning seriously. Central agencies have already instigated a probe in this regard. Meanwhile, the investigation indicated that the suspected terrorist Mohammad Shariq was preparing to carry out a blast at a children’s fest and the Kadri Manjunatha Swamy temple “Laksh deepotsav” programme in Mangaluru. When police officials raided his house in Mysore a few days back, they retrieved explosives, one mobile phone, two fake Aadhaar cards, one PAN, a debit card and an unused SIM card.
