Pipe Bomb During Advani's Yatra: Main Accused Held

One of the main accused, wanted in connection with planting of a pipe bomb allegedly targeting senior BJP leader L K Advani in Tamil Nadu in 2011, was today arrested at Batalagundu in this district, police said.

Mohammed Haneefa, allegedly involved in the making of the crude pipe bomb, was arrested by a team of Crime-Branch CID police who raided his hideout on a tip-off. One person who was staying with Haneefa managed to escape, they said.

Police said they seized explosive materials, including one kg of detonator powder, which were identical to the stuff used in the pipe bomb, from Haneefa.

He was brought to Madurai and produced before a judicial magistrate court which remanded him to judicial custody.

Haneefa is among the three prime accused in the case and two others, including "Police" Fakruddin, were absconding, Police said.

With this, police have arrested eight persons, including seven who allegedly provided help to the main accused including in procuring raw materials for making the bomb.

The pipe bomb, planted under a bridge at Aalampatti near Tirumangalam, about 30 km from Madurai, was found and defused hours before Advani's 'Jan Chetna Yatra' was to pass through the route on October 28, 2011.

Police said they also seized from Haneefa a photograph of a local VHP functionary who has been handicapped following a leg injury suffered in an attack allegedly by a Muslim outfit workers in the past.