'Elathur train arson Jihad inspired, Saifi wanted to kill all passengers'; NIA files charge sheet

KOZHIKODE: On Saturday, NIA filed the charge sheet in the horrific Elathur train arson case that shocked the state. According to the charge sheet, the crime was just the brainchild of the main accused Shahrukh Saifi, as the central agency dismissed involvement of any others in the attack. Saifi selected Kerala for his criminal endeavors as he thought he could easily wriggle from the scene and remain an anonymous figure.

NIA confirmed Elathur train arson as a Jihadi-inspired crime. According to officials, the accused was captivated by terrorist ideologies which he found out through online means. Slowly, the ideology got imbued into his mind and it was with the intention to kill all passengers that Saifi boarded the train.

During April, Saifi set fire to fellow passengers on the Alappuzha-Kannur Express train at Elathur in Kozhikode. Nine people, including women, were injured in the attack. Three people including kids who jumped off the train in scare died brutally on the tracks.

The deceased have been identified as Naufiq, Rehmat, and sister's daughter Sahara, all natives of Mattanur. Saifi was arrested from Ratnagiri railway station in Maharashtra during the investigation.