Karnataka-Kerala new southern terror corridor?

Is Karnataka and Kerala the new terror corridor of the south of India? The recent turn of events indicate that the two states now form the terror corridor of south India and this is becoming a headache for investigation agencies in both states.

Yahya Khan Kammukutty, a techie originally hailing from Kozhikode, was picked up in Bangalore three days ago.

Prior to this arrest, the cops had also picked up a man by the name Fahd Mohammad in Bangalore.

During the course of investigation, it came to light that this man too like Khan had been active in setting up modules both in Karnataka and Kerala.

Both Karnataka and Kerala are neighbouring states and police say that the borders have become a hub of terror activity.

Investigating agencies say that these persons shuttle between Karnataka and Kerala and their main areas of operation are at Kasargod, Mysore, Bangalore and Kozhikode.

They have set up camps in jungles and undergo rigorous training there. The police say that the main camp is at the jungle in Waynad where regular training is imparted to the youth. They are taught target practice and also the art of guerilla warfare.

The Information Bureau says that these persons have spilled over into the coastal town of Mangalore in Dakshin Karnataka where are they are actively involved in raking up communal clashes.

IB sources say that apart from planning terror strikes in both Karnataka and Kerala these outfits concentrate a great deal in causing communal disturbance.

They have chosen the coastal belt as there is a very huge dominance of Hindu fundamentalists in this area. The Mangalore belt is considered to be a strong hold of the Bharatiya Janata Party and hence, they are able to cause communal disharmony very easily.

Both Khan and Fahd had worked extensively in setting up base in both Karnataka and Kerala.

While Khan shuttled between the two states frequently, Fahd had set up shop in Mysore in Karnataka and allegedly trained youth who were sent in from Kerala.

The rise of the Students Islamic Movement of India: Investigations have now revealed that terror operatives from both Karnataka and Kerala have taken it upon themselves to reorganise the banned outfit SIMI and carry out operations on their own.

The outfit apparently wants to go it alone and does not seek much support from other extremist organisations.

Over the years, they have been recruiting youth in both states and their main focus is to cause communal disturbance.

In Karnataka and Kerala, the SIMI operates in three categories -- pro-Saudi, pro Iran and another group which deals exclusively with disturbing communal peace.

The police now say that it is extremely important to tighten security at the Karnataka-Kerala borders and heavy combing operations in these areas will help clean out the system a great deal.

Several SIMI activists who have been grilled by the police have revealed that the cause of Islam is being lost as several organisations which were originally committed to the cause were going astray.

They said their main intention is to propagate Islam and ensure that the values of the religion are upheld.

SIMI activists have also been holding meetings regularly in both Karnataka and Kerala with a view of luring youth.

They meet up with students and young people in both states regularly and brainwash them into following the SIMI path.