Updated 

Bengaluru, Jun 7 (IANS): The probe in the activities of Talib Hussain, the arrested Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist, has revealed that he had lived in a mosque here under a different name for three years and delivered provocative speeches. 

Sources said that he lived in the state capital under the name of Talik after allegedly eloping with the wife of a policeman from Jammu and Kashmir. Sources also said that he stayed in a mosque at Okalipuram in Bengaluru and delivered lectures.

However, the mosque authorities have refused this allegation and stated that they had only given him shelter. The management of the mosque have told the police that they knew he came from Jammu and Kashmir. The matter is being investigated now. 

The mosque authorities told the police that during the second lockdown, Talib Hussain came with his wife and an infant to the mosque. He had told them that he did not have food to eat and they let him live in a room of the mosque without rent. 

The mosque authorities have also told the police that Hussain had earlier rented a house and he was not involved in any suspicious activities. 

In a joint operation, the armed forces from Jammu and Kashmir along with the Karnataka Police arrested Hussain. According to sources, the operation was jointly conducted by the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and the Central Armed Reserve Police Force (CRPF) with the help of local Bengaluru police. 

The operation was carried out on June 3 and the incident has come to light lately. 

The arrested terrorist was one of a key person in Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist outfit and he allegedly worked as the commander. The matter was confirmed to the media by Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Dilbag Singh. 

Sources said Talib Hussain belongs to Kishtwar district of Nagaseni Tehsil. He had joined the Hizbul Mujahideen outfit in 2016, and has two wives and five children. 

With the arrest of Talib Hussain, the debate of Bengaluru being a sleeper cell for terrorists and anti-national forces has come to the forefront once again. The questions are also being raised on how Talib Hussain could stay for 3 years without coming into the radar of the intelligence agencies. 

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday said that the police department will be keeping vigil on people in the city. "Jammu and Kashmir Police have taken action and Karnataka Police have given all cooperation for the operation. Similar arrests have been made earlier in Bhatkal, Sirsi towns of the state," Bommai said. 

Earlier report

Karnataka authorities on high alert after Hizbul terrorist's arrest

Bengaluru, Jun 7 (IANS): The authorities are on high alert after the detection and arrest of a Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist here, who had been living in disguise for the past two years.

Since the state is passing through a sensitive phase and unrest-like situation, especially after the hijab row and the mosque-temple issue, the police are not taking any chances with the security.

According to sources, the operation was jointly conducted by the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and the Central Armed Reserve Police Force (CRPF) platoons with the help of local Bengaluru Police.

The operation was carried out on June 3 and the incident has come to light lately. The terrorist was hiding in Bengaluru for the past two years.

The arrested terrorist has been identified as Talib Hussain, one of the key persons in Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist outfit. The matter has been confirmed to the media by the Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Dilbag Singh.

Sources said Talib Hussain belongs to Kishtwar district of Nagaseni Tehsil. He joined the terror outfit in 2016, and has two wives and five children.

Talib used to brainwash youths and used to target the Hindus in Jammu and Kashmir valley. He is also involved in many incidents of bomb explosions. When the armed forces intensified their hunt for him, he escaped to Bengaluru.

He came to Bengaluru with one of his wives and children. He ran an auto and led life as a normal man. The armed forces, who were trying to nab him, managed to gather inputs about Talib Hussain being in Bengaluru.

The armed forces special team had met the police commissioner of Bengaluru in this regard last week. The local police kept a watch on his movements and informed the forces.

The neighbours were shocked to know that he was a terrorist after the arrest. The terrorist led a quiet life here like a normal person. It can be recalled that the killers of former Prime Minister Late Rajiv Gandhi belonging to LTTE, had also taken shelter in Bengaluru.