'They Don't Trust Same Officers They Trusted...': Congress, BJP Trade Barbs In K'taka On Arrest Of Terror Suspects

Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge has lashed out at the BJP over the demand of an NIA probe into the arrest of five terror suspects in the state.

Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge has lashed out at the BJP over the demand of an NIA probe into the arrest of five terror suspects in the state. ( Image Source :ANI )

Hitting out at the BJP's demand of a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the arrest of five terror suspects in Bengaluru, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge said the state has a mechanism in place to tackle terrorism and the Centre's help will be sought if the need arises. He asked why the BJP was in a hurry and could not trust the same officers they had a month back.

Speaking to the media, he said, "If at all the investigation needs national help or it has international connections, then we will see about seeking Centre's help. But as of now, we have an efficient policing system here, we have a mechanism to deal with terrorism here. We will do that. But why is BJP always in a hurry? They don't trust the same officers that they had a month back."

This comes after former Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai sought an NIA probe into the matter and questioned the law and government situation in the state. He alleged a big conspiracy and a plot to carry out serial blasts in Bengaluru and said the arrested accused had the support of international terror networks.

The Bengaluru Police on Wenesday foiled an alleged ISIS-back plot to target vital installations in the state and arrested five suspects in the case. Four walkie-talkies, seven country-made pistols, 42 live bullets, two daggers, two satellite phones and four grenades have been recovered from them.

"They have been identified as Syed Suhel, Umar, Janid, Mudasir and Zahid. It is suspected that the team had planned to carry out a blast in Bengaluru. All five were accused in a 2017 murder case and were in Parappana Agrahara Central Jail where they came in contact with the terrorists. CCB has also seized explosive materials," the crime branch said in a statement as reported by news agency ANI.

In past, all of them were lodged in Parappana Agrahara Central Prison of Bangalore and where they met a few terrorists and then decided to carry out terror activities.