Thiruvananthapuram: A particular investigation group (SIT) of Kerala Police probing the hearth incident in a shifting practice earlier this month, that left three folks lifeless, stated on Monday that lone accused Shahrukh Saifi was extremely radicalised and movies of controversial Islamic preachers like Zakir Naik and Israr Ahmad (Pakistan theologian) have been recovered from his cell phone.

Additional director basic of police (ADGP) M R Ajith Kumar, who’s supervising the SIT probe, additionally stated an investigation is underway to establish if the 27-year-old accused had obtained any assist from extremist outfits to hold out the arson.

The ADGP, nonetheless, refused to touch upon the motive behind the assault.

The accused was booked below the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act on Sunday, paving the way in which for the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to take over the case.

Speaking to reporters in Kozhikode (north Kerala), the ADGP stated: “We have got all the details of his trip from Delhi to Shornur and his escape after committing the crime. His background and other details show he was highly radicalised. He has been watching videos of many controversial figures, including Zakir Naik and Israr Ahmad. It is too early to say if he had received any help from other quarters.”

He added: “Saifi came to Kerala with the intention of committing the crime. He had a clear plan to carry out arson. A probe is underway to ascertain if he got support from some extremist outfits in Kerala or from other parts of the country.”

The officer stated the case is extremely delicate and he can not reveal additional particulars.

On April 2, Saifi, a resident of Shaheen Bagh in Delhi, allegedly sprinkled petrol and set co-passengers of D-1 compartment on hearth after the Alappuzha-Kannur Inter-City Express practice left Kozhikode station at round 9.30pm. In the commotion, some passengers jumped from the operating practice; three folks, together with a baby, died once they jumped out. Nine others sustained burn accidents.

Police later recovered a bag with a bottle of petrol and two cell phones from the railway tracks.

Saifi, who additionally suffered some burns, was caught on April 5 in Maharashtra’s Ratnagiri district by the state’s anti-terror squad, following inputs from Kerala Police and central intelligence businesses.

Officials later stated Saifi had first arrived at Shornur railway junction from the nationwide capital within the early hours of April 2 earlier than boarding the Alappuzha-Kannur practice.

Last week, the SIT held an identification parade throughout which two passengers recognized the accused.

A senior SIT officer, who didn’t want to be recognized, stated “it was a well-planned terror act” and a probe can be happening in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, in addition to Delhi.

Officials had earlier stated that anti-terrorism squads from Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra have sought Saifi’s particulars, with police suspecting he might have gotten assist from Tamil Nadu.

With Saifi’s police custody slated to finish on Tuesday, the SIT will transfer one other plea to get additional custody, the SIT officer talked about above stated.

While native media stories steered that 5 folks, together with a municipal councillor, have been detained and questioned for allegedly offering logistics to the accused, the SIT officer stated they’re but to confirm their roles. The officer stated the 5 folks have been detained for some time however allowed to depart thereafter.

“But we are sure he got help as it is not possible for him to carry out such an act on his own. We need more time to unravel this,” the officer stated.

The officer additionally stated that Kerala was maybe chosen as the location of the assault due to its proximity with the banned Popular Front of India (PFI).

“Most of the arrested top PFI leaders are from Kerala. A state-born outfit, Kozhikode remained PFI’s headquarters for many years. We suspect Kerala was selected to avenge the crackdown on PFI by some radical elements. Other than this, we do not see any other reason to target Kerala,” the officer stated, including {that a} probe is underway to establish any potential hyperlinks between Saifi and PFI.