The prime suspect, Abubakar Siddique, had been evading arrest for around 30 years in connection with multiple bombings and communal killings. Authorities said he had operated under several aliases, frequently changed locations, and had no recent photographs available. Known for his skills in making high-grade improvised explosive devices (IEDs), Siddique was finally tracked and arrested in Rayachoti, Annamayya district of Andhra Pradesh, thanks to joint efforts by the Tamil Nadu Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), intelligence agencies, and the police of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
During the operation, the team also identified and arrested Mohammed Ali, also known as Sheikh Mansoor, another fugitive wanted in terrorism-related cases. Both Siddique and Ali were taken into custody and later presented before the Egmore court, which remanded them on July 1.
Following the arrests, police searched Siddique's residence and recovered explosives and a cache of electronic devices. Investigations are ongoing to determine their funding sources and whether they had any foreign links.
In a related development, a third suspect, Sadiq Ali, also known as Taylor Raja, was arrested in Vijayapura, Karnataka, on July 9. He had been absconding since 1996, and was linked to the 1998 Coimbatore serial blasts. With no updated photographs and no contact with acquaintances, tracking him was particularly difficult. A team of Tamil Nadu ATS and Karnataka Police successfully captured him, and he was produced before a Coimbatore court on July 10.
According to the DGP, initial findings suggest that all three had changed their identities and were working independently in different states. "We are now examining various angles, including overseas connections and funding sources. The investigation will continue under judicial procedures," he added.
This coordinated effort marks a significant achievement for Tamil Nadu’s law enforcement agencies in tackling long-standing terror threats.
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