CHENNAI: In a joint operation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Counter Intelligence Cell sleuths of Telangana and a CID special investigation division team on Monday apprehended four terror suspects inspired by al-Qaida from hideouts in Chennai and Madurai who had planned to target at least 22 VVIPs including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Investigators, who seized explosive materials from their hideouts, said the suspects were responsible for five blasts in courts across south India. NIA sleuths on Monday announced the arrest of three offenders in Madurai and Chennai, while examining another suspect.
The gang leader, who investigators arrested, is Dawood Suleiman, 23, a TCS software engineer from Karimsa Pallivasal in Madurai who lived in Thiruvanmiyur in Chennai. They identified the others as Abbas Ali, 27, a house painter from Ismailpuram in Madurai, and Samsum Karim Raja, a BCom graduate with a chicken shop in Madurai. Two suspects escaped during the Madurai raid.
