National Investigation Agency filed a chargesheet in the Elathur train arson case. Shahrukh Saifi is the only accused in the charge sheet and was charged with the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). NIA termed Saifi’s offense an act of jihad. It is also stated in the charge sheet that Kerala was chosen for the attack by the accused to remain unidentified.
The charge sheet was filed in Kochi NIA court. Saifi’s aimed to strike terror in the hearts of the locals. He is a self-radicalized individual inspired by Islamist religious preachers working in Bharat, Pakistan, and other Muslim countries. Saifi was so addicted to their rants that he listened to their speeches constantly.
He decided to embark on jihad on his own, and the aim of the attack was murder. The case investigated by the Railway Police was later transferred to NIA.
The terror attack aboard the 16307 Alappuzha–Kannur Executive Express train near Elathur Railway Station in Kozhikode occurred on 2 April. Saifi left Delhi by Sampark Kranthi Express and reached Kozhikode on 31 March. He reportedly bought petrol from a filling station in Shoranur and then boarded the Alappuzha–Kannur Express.
Saifi sprinkled the petrol inside the train and set bogie D1 on fire. He attempted to kill passengers by dousing them in petrol, panic spread, and passengers scattered. The jihadi from Shaheen Bagh managed to kill three (including a toddler) and injured nine, some seriously.
All the three deceased jumped to their death in the melee. Saifi refused to accept his role in the casualties. The terror suspect escaped but was apprehended by Railway Protection Force officers and Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad from Ratnagiri, Maharashtra.
The terror suspect from Shaheen Bagh in Delhi chose Kerala since he considered it a soft state. Saifi thought he could easily mingle in the crowd and remain unidentified. Initial investigations and Saifi being brought back from Maharashtra had left a black mark on the state’s politicians and bureaucracy. Serious security lapses occurred in Kasaragod when Saifi was taken to Kozhikode from Ratnagiri by road.
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