Two terrorists who were arrested in Rayachoti town of Annamayya district, Andhra Pradesh, by the Tamil Nadu Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) two days ago, had conspired to carry out bomb blasts in three key cities across the country, Andhra Pradesh Police said on July 3.
Police seized explosives and other materials, which were enough to make 50-60 improvised explosive derives (IEDS) A suitcase bomb was also recovered and defused by the anti-terror unit OCTOPUS at an isolated place near the office of Rayachoti DSP Office.
Deputy inspector general of police, Kurnool range, Dr Koya Praveen and Annamayya district superintendent of police V Vidyasagar Naidu shared details of the case at a press conference at Rayachoti.
Two #terror suspects nabbed after 30 yrs on the run
Abubacker Siddique & Mohammed Ali arrested in #Rayachoti, AP.
20 kg #explosives, timers, #ISIS literature seized.
Linked to #Advani pipe bomb plot & multiple #blasts.
Lived as #traders ,under fake IDs.… pic.twitter.com/6GyBgDWJ8F
— NewsMeter (@NewsMeter_In) July 3, 2025
The Tamil Nadu ATS, with the help of local police arrested Abu Bakar Siddique ailas Amanullah and Mohammed Ali Ailas Mansoor on July 1. The ATS took them to Chennai.
According to police, the duo belonged to the ‘Al–Umma’ terror organistation and were wanted in multiple bomb blast case in Tamil Nadu.
The accused had been living under false identities in Rayachoti for over two decades. They were maintaining a low profile, selling saris. They had married women belonging to the Madanapal division.
The DIG said they were investigating how the accused procured explosives and other materials for making IEDS. Police were also trying to find out if the family members of the accused helped them in preparing explosives.
The police is of the opinion that both the accused are technical experts in making bombs. It is suspected that settling down in Rayachoti ,they were involved in the 2013 blast at Malleswaram in Bangalore.
During the search operation at the houses of the accused police seized ammonium nitrate mixed with fuel oil. Slurry explosives (possibly containing TNT or nitroglycerin). A PET N- based bomb in a 20 kg suitcase two other containers suspected to be LEDS, Potassium Nitrate, Potassium Chlorate, potassium permanganate, gun powder ball bearings, nuts and bolts, clock mechanisms pressure switches, pull switches and speed controllers.
Electronic items such as walkie – talkies radio equipment, hacking software, mobile phones, digital storage devices and coding books were also recovered .
Police also seized maps of three Indian cities, religious literature, cheque books, and property documents .
The DIG said intelligence agencies were conducting an investigation into their conspiracy to carry out blasts.
The police officers said they were investigating whether the accused received any local help for their activities and whether the family members assisted them.
The Andhra Pradesh police have not found any evidence of the accused recruiting locals or training them.
According to police, Siddique is an accused in the 1995 Nagur police station murder and explosives case, the Chintadripet bomb blast case, and the 2011 pipe –bomb planting attempt during the deputy prime minister L.K Advanis’s Rath Yatra in Madurai. Mohammed Ali was wanted for his role in planting bombs including one outsides the commissioner’s office in Egmore Chennai in 1999.
In 1999 the accused were allegedly transporting explosives on the cochin Kurla express when a fire broke out, they were intercepted at Kasargod in Kerala Rayachoti police also arrested Abubacker Siddique’s wife Sheikh Shameem, they were produced before a court in Rayachoti, which sent them to judicial custody. The two women have been shifited to Kadapa jail.
