Suspect’s mobile phone reportedly contained references to the Ram Temple, Pakistani contacts, and alleged terror-related material; investigation underway.
Bengaluru/Davanagere, June 25:
Security agencies have allegedly thwarted a suspected plot targeting the Ram Temple in Ayodhya following the arrest of a 20-year-old man from Uttar Pradesh in Karnataka’s Davanagere district.
The accused, identified as Suhail, a resident of Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh, was arrested from Harihar town, where he had reportedly been working at a factory for the past two weeks. Police officials said preliminary investigations suggest that the suspect had allegedly discussed plans related to targeting the Ram Temple, although authorities are continuing to verify the evidence.
According to investigators, a forensic examination of the suspect’s mobile phone revealed photographs showing him carrying weapons, contacts linked to Pakistani phone numbers, and audio clips allegedly referring to an attack on the Ayodhya temple. Some recordings reportedly contain conversations in Urdu-mixed Hindi discussing plans to carry out an explosion at the temple.
Davanagere Superintendent of Police H.T. Shekhar said initial findings indicate that the accused may have had links with Pakistan-based terror operatives and was allegedly in contact with suspicious individuals through social media platforms. Acting on intelligence inputs about a suspicious person residing near Harihar, police tracked and detained the accused before handing him over to Tumakuru police for further investigation.
Officials stated that the arrest was made based on information obtained during the interrogation of two suspected terror operatives arrested earlier this month—Zameer Khan in Davanagere and Allah Baksh in Tumakuru.
However, Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge cautioned against drawing premature conclusions, stating that investigators have not yet found conclusive evidence linking Suhail to the previously arrested suspects. He said all possible angles are being examined as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities believe the case bears similarities to the ongoing Tumakuru terror module probe, though investigators stress that additional evidence will be required to establish any operational connection. Digital devices, communication records, and the suspect’s recent activities are being scrutinized to determine the scope of the alleged conspiracy and identify any possible associates.
Security agencies are also verifying intelligence inputs suggesting that a group of around ten suspicious individuals may have entered Karnataka. Investigators are working to ascertain whether the accused acted independently or was part of a larger network.
The investigation remains ongoing, with multiple agencies involved in assessing the nature and extent of the alleged threat.
