Terror modules were being set up in Belgaum: IB

The arrest of several Students Islamic Movement of India activists has proven that Karnataka was waiting to be attacked.

The police feel that with these arrests, they have waded away the threat of a terror attack to a large extent.

However, now Intelligence Bureau sources tell rediff.com that terror modules were being set up in Belgaum, which borders Maharashtra.

The arrest of Liyakat Ali Sayeed in Belgaum on May 14 has helped the police get a better picture of the terror operations, which were being planned in the border district of Karnataka.

According to the IB, Belgaum was a good spot for terror modules as it would have been easier for them to carry out inter-state operations.

Interrogations conducted on Liyakat reveal that he was laying the ground to set up a group of youths in Belgaum to take up the terrorist-interpreted jihadi path.

Liyakat, who belongs to the banned SIMI outfit, was handed the task of coaxing youths into joining the outfit and later carry out anti-social activities in and around the state.

SIMI, which decided to rejuvenate itself, has been looking to set up a unit in Belgaum so that inter-state activities are easier to carry out.

They were facing logistic problems to transport arms as they did not have a strong unit in the bordering districts.

Belgaum was chosen as the next hub by SIMI, but over a period of time, they realised that the youths in this place were not thinking in the manner they would have wanted them to.

SIMI then identified a couple of people including Liyakat to spread the message of jihad so as to influence more and more youths into taking up this path.

The Belgaum police claim that with the arrest of Liyakat, a major headache has been averted. They say that he had managed to influence several youths through his preachings.

Liyakat, who came down to Belgaum from London eight months back according to the police, would first make friends with the youths.

He would then distribute CDs containing clips of atrocities being committed against Muslims across the world. He had convinced several youths that the only way to safeguard their community was through violence.

The police say that a video of an anti-Modi protest shows Liyakat shouting slogans. They say he had his face half covered in order to conceal his identity, but repeated viewing of the video clip confirms that it was Liyakat who had taken part in the rally.

Interrogations are still on and the police are now trying to get more information regarding the plans Liyakat had to set up a strong wing of the SIMI.

The police patrol on the borders of Maharashtra and Karnataka has been spruced up as they feel there could be more infiltration in the coming days.