Man held at HAL airport for ‘terror’ links

A 50-year-old man was taken into custody by the Old Airport police over suspected links with terror groups. The deputy commissioner of police (South-East) PS Harsha said a person has been arrested for suspicious behaviour and efforts are on to ascertain his true identity.

Police sources said he was taken into custody on Saturday night after army personnel found him at the HAL airport. He was wearing an army uniform and had a fake ID card and other supporting documents.

“He looks like he is not from Bangalore and we have to find out his name and native place. We are interrogating him,” Harsha said.
Another officer said the suspect said his name is Hameed Ansari Rana and had shown fake documents to support his claim that he was an armyman. The police had produced him before a court and have taken him into judicial custody for interrogation.

Investigations revealed that Rana’s second wife’s relative was arrested for terror links recently. The police are collecting details regarding this person too.

“We want to know why he entered the airport premises. We have to find out his background as it is a serious matter pertaining to national security,” said an officer.

The police also said that during interrogation, Rana revealed that he had undergone treatment at the Command Hospital after producing a fake ID card and other documents. The police have requested the army to verify the matter.