Soumya Menon/ENS

Bangalore, Apr 16: Call it reverse ‘Stockholm syndrome’ if you will, but LeT militant and Indian Institute of Science (IISc) attack accused Mohammed Sabahuddin (alias Saba alias Farhan) had developed a strong attachment towards the Bangalore police.

As if returning the compliment, Bangalore police officials say Saba is one of the most sensitive terrorists they have come across. And they have proof.

In the last few moments before Saba was taken back to Lucknow on April 11 after his 15 days of interrogation here and being produced before the I Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, the Bangalore police were pleasantly surprised when Saba insisted on being with the Bangalore police rather than returning to Lucknow District Jail.

To console him, the Bangalore police arranged for a close Hindu friend of Saba’s to come and spend time with him.

“The two had a normal conversation to begin with, speaking about movies and actors portraying terrorist characters. But when that friend began a serious talk advising him to get back to mainstream life, Saba was jolted and wept for over an hour,” said a senior police official.

Saba reportedly wept like a child, pleading with the Bangalore police to let him stay back in their custody.

“He said he never wanted to get into such activities, and regrets it. But, he was in love with the Lakshar- e-Toiba (LeT) and there was no turning back after he got into it,” he said.

Police officials said Saba is also planning to complete a degree in Business Management while he is lodged in the Lucknow District Jail.

“He wants to do that as he does not want to sit idle. He says that he would get rusted if he did not involve in anything productive,” added the police official.

Saba had reportedly broken down emotionally while being interrogated by the Bangalore police, expressing regret for carrying out attacks at the IISc and on the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Rampur (in Uttar Pradesh).