TWO persons have been arrested from here on terror charges, with police claiming they wanted to advance the activities of the banned Islamic State (IS). While police sources initially said all three wanted in connection with the case have been arrested, police later clarified two have been nabbed while one was missing. The gang members were in possession of explosives and planned to carry out blasts across the State, the police alleged.

The police registered a case on its own against Shariq, Maaz Muneer Ahmed and Syed Yasin, all of whom hail from Shivamogga, under various sections of the IPC and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

The arrested men were remanded to seven days police custody. According to the police FIR, the gang members were planning to advance the cause of IS that was detrimental to the unity, integrity and sovereignty of India.

Home Minister Araga Jnanendra said “the trio had links with IS.” “Intense probe is going on about their activities. They are from Shivamogga and Tirthahalli with links to Mangaluru,” he told reporters here on Tuesday.

Police sources claimed the arrested persons had undergone terror training including carrying out blasts.

“The kingpin Yasin has been arrested and is being interrogated closely. Yasin is an electrical engineer,” a source said.