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Hunt still on for terror suspects

HYDERABAD: A day after terror suspects escaped by firing at three unarmed policemen near Indira Seva Sadan junction at Santoshnagar, investigators realised that the scooter left behind was stolen from the old city, a few weeks ago.

While the police were clueless about the motorcycle on which the prime accused, Vikar Ahmed, and his two acquaintances sped away, different wings of the police launched a massive manhunt for the threesome. The entire city police has been put on high alert in view of the ‘Black Day’ and ‘Vijay Diwas’ to be observed to mark the anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition on December 6.

Investigations revealed the scooter belonged to a telephone mechanic working with the BSNL, K. Yadagiri, of Saidabad. He told police that he parked the scooter on October 13 around 8 p.m. outside the Well Bakery in Ekalavyanagar.

Soon, he realised that his vehicle was stolen and reported the matter to Saidabad police, though no case was registered. The terror suspects had replaced the original number plate -- ATJ 8943 -- with a false one -- ADT 5841. Police confirmed that the engine and chassis numbers of the stolen vehicle matched with the one found at the shoot-out spot.

Though ‘made in Italy’ words were found on the 9mm pistol left behind by the terror suspects, police said it was country-made. While one bullet was found stuck in the pistol’s chamber, its magazine was missing. “We’re not sure if it fell off or someone stole it after the weapon was left at the spot,” police said.

Based on intelligence inputs, police are looking out for a suspect named Mohd. Bin Omar who lives in Shaheennagar. In the early hours of Thursday, they picked up a person with a similar name from Barkas Bazar in Chandrayangutta, but he turned out to be a school teacher.

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