Check terror activities in state, Kumaraswamy told

The state is, meanwhile, planning to set up an Anti-Terrorism Squad on the lines of Mumbai8217;s ATS exclusively for Bangalore. 8220;The existing set-up looks at the entire state, but we now feel the need to look specifically at Bangalore,8221; a senior police officer said. Bangalore has come into focus with three of its residents being detained for their alleged role in the failed Glasgow bombing. Sabeel and Kafeel Ahmed were detained by the UK Police and their cousin Mohammed Haneef by the Australian Police.

The state is looking at setting up an ATS for the city with apprehensions that the IT-hub, which is home to many big corporates, is vulnerable to terrorists. The state is hopeful of Central assistance for strengthening its police and intelligence machinery, official sources said.

The plan comes even as state police continued efforts to ensure that Bangalore did not become home for sleeper cells of the Lashkar-e-Toiba and other militant groups. On the presence of Al Qaeda or its front outfits, the state police sources maintained they had not come across anything concrete in this regard. Preventive steps had, however, been taken. The state maintained that no Australian official had visited Bangalore to probe the background of Mohammad Haneef, the doctor detained in Brisbane. 8220;We have neither received a request for assistance in the investigation nor have we been provided any information to work on,8221; an officer said. He added that the Bangalore police had taken up a 8220;suo motu verification8221; which was still on. 8220;We are also interested in finding out if there is a link with the IISc attack,8221; the officer said.

On reports that Bilal Abdulla had visited Bangalore to meet Kafeel, a police officer said they were yet to corroborate this. 8220;We are screening details not just at Bangalore airport but also other airports in Karnataka and neighbouring states,8221; he said.

Officials referred to the procedure that would need to be followed if the UK authorities wanted state police assistance. UK would have to approach India through the Ministry of External Affairs that would inform the Home Ministry. The CBI could then be asked to take up the probe.

The CM also briefed Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil about the developments. But he refused to discuss details of the discussion, saying it would be premature.