Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Updated
Mangalore, Sep 14: After all the panic and speculations that arose following the seizure of 'explosive materials' at Mangalore International Airport late night on Saturday September 13, it turns out that it was nothing but a mere electonic device that was meant for repair in Dubai!
The tab that reportedly contained 'explosive' liquid was actually handed over to Mohammed Abdul Khader, the passenger, by his neighbour, as the device could not be repaired here due to warranty issues.
Reliable sources said that Khader got married just a month ago and was on his way to Dubai to join work after vacation. A woman in his neighbourhood handed over a package to him, saying it contained food items. Khader reportedly did not know that the package also contained a tab and a bottle of hydrogen peroxide that is used as cleaning substance.
At the airport, when the officials asked if his luggage contained any electronic items, he said there was only a package with food items. The officials then checked, and found the tab and the bottle of hydrogen peroxide beside it.
Soon after the officials took Khader for questioning, the lady who gave the parcel also arrived and explained the situation. She said that the battery of the tab had expanded and it could not be repaired here due to warranty issues. She had placed it in the food package and failed to inform about the same to Khader, she said.
Speaking to reporters, DCP K V Jagadish confirmed that no explosive material was found. "The electronic device in the luggage created suspicion at first and we took necessary precautions. The passenger was subjected to questioning. The bomb detection and disposal squad from Bangalore explored the device by breaking it down and no explosive material was found. The battery of the device was damaged and due to internal damage the battery had swelled. Other than that there was nothing."
Khader's father Mohammed Haji M K told reporters, "My son is not the kind of person to do such a thing. Whoever commits terror crime should be given capital punishment. My son has been posed as a 'terrorist' by the media, and hence it is the responsibility of the media to show that he is innocent."
Earlier Report
Mangalore: Explosive materials seized from passenger at airport
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Sep 14: Explosive materials were seized from a passenger at Mangalore International Airport here late night on Saturday September 13.
Though officials did not divulge the identity of the accused, reliable sources said that he has been identified as Mohammed Abdul Khader from Periye Uppala in Kasargod district. He had booked the late night Jet Airways ticket to Dubai.
During security check, the CISF personnel found the explosive materials in his luggage.
Sources said that the personnel found a tab in his possession which he had not declared, and on inspection, a bottle of liquid, suspected to be an explosive material, was found placed near the battery. The accused himself had carved a hole on the inside of the tab to hide the liquid, sources said.
There were reports that ammonium nitrate, battery and wires were found in his possession.
Sources said that the security personnel had prior information about a possible blast at the airport and hence have beefed up the security.
As soon as the explosive materials were found, bomb detection squad along with a canine squad rushed to the airport. Police commissioner R Hitendra, DCP K V Jagadish, Panambur ACP Ravikumar arrived at the spot.
The accused has been taken into custody by the CISF and further investigations are on.
A bomb squad is also on its way from Bangalore, sources said. Meanwhile, the seized explosive materials were placed in an open area and cordoned off.
Official sources said that the nature of the liquid found in the tab would be known only after inspection by the Bangalore squad, and it will be then ascertained whether it was explosive or not.