Bengaluru: Central City Crime Branch (CCB) on Friday took custody of a Kannur native and a terror suspect in the 2008 Bengaluru serial blasts Thadiyantavide Nazeer into its custody in connection with the busting of a group, which allegedly planned a huge explosion in the city. Nazeer allegedly brainwashed the gang and he operated as the gang commander for the planned explosion.  

Nazeer will be in CCB custody for 10 days. CCB’s move comes a week after it arrested five youths in connection with the alleged terror plot. The five arrested are Syed Suhail Khan, Mohammad Faizal Rabbani, Mohammad Umar, Muddassir Pasha, and Zahid Tabrez. According to reports, CCB officials also seized a large cache of explosives, weapons, and equipment from them. 

Jaheed Tabrez reportedly received the consignment of hand grenades from the alleged kingpin of the module Mohammad Junaid, who is operating from Afghanistan border areas. The arrested suspected terrorists came in contact with Nazeer, while they were in prison.

Nazeer allegedly gave instructions from the prison. The arrested suspected terrorists came in contact with Nazir, while they were in prison through Junaid. Nazeer had brainwashed them and linked Mohammad Junaid with the terror outfit LeT. Junaid later further brainwashed the arrested suspected terrorists and prepared them to carry out a major terror strike in the city. The probe has also revealed that Nazeer helped Junaid to cross the Indian borders.

Junaid is still at large.