Operation Puttur arrested terror suspects in Chittoor

In 2013, a police operation in Puttur, Andhra Pradesh helped to solve several terrorism-related cases. Officers from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh arrested two suspects who were planning to attack the Brahmostavam festival in Tirumala. They confessed to plotting to kill leaders from the BJP and Hindu Munnani groups. This operation came after years of violence against Hindutva leaders. Many such attacks occurred between 2011 and 2014, resulting in several high-profile murders. Among the victims were BJP leaders and a Hindu Munnani functionary. These incidents led to a change in the intelligence department in Tamil Nadu, and new officers were assigned to focus on internal security. In October 2013, police arrested a man named Fakrudeen, who had evaded capture for eight years. He was linked to these murders and was planning more attacks. During questioning, he disclosed details about his associates who were hiding in Puttur. This led the police to launch a swift operation to apprehend them. On October 5, 2013, police located the suspects in a house in Puttur. The arrest was tense, with suspects threatening to explode bombs if police entered. Eventually, officers used tear gas and managed to arrest the suspects after a lengthy standoff. They found a large amount of explosives in the house. These suspects, Fakrudeen, Bilal Malik, and Panna Ismail, are currently on trial for multiple cases connected to terrorism. The investigation into their activities continues, as police remain vigilant against further potential attacks.