KOZHIKODE: The grilling of Shahrukh Saifi, arrested in the case of setting fire to the Alappuzha-Kannur Executive Express train, is still continuing. He was found to have used three SIM cards. However, the last numbers he called were all switched off. The investigation team is trying to find out who all they are. This is after suspecting his terrorist connections.

Meantime, the suspicion of a planning and conspiracy in connection with terrorism behind the attack, strengthened. The investigators believe that the statements of his relatives of Shaheen Bagh, Shahrukh's phone calls and chats since 2021, reaching Shornur from Shaheen Bagh and selected the petrol pump there point to a larger plan.

Saifi doesn't seem to have any mental problems as the group from Kerala spoke to his relatives. He was a jovial man and had been a recluse for two years. He was silent, but made more friends outside. He became more devoted to religious matters. All this is seen as a sign of connection with external forces. The assessment of NIA and ATS is that the evidence so far points to a terrorist link. The police will hand over the case to the NIA if the terrorist link becomes stronger during the interrogation.

Shahrukh reached Shornur on April 1, Saturday at 3.10 pm in Sampark Kranti Express. He then went to buy petrol from an Indian Oil’s pump, which is one kilometer away, in an auto. The pump staff said he bought four liters of petrol in two cans. The visuals of it have been obtained from the pump. He then went back to the railway station in the same auto.

This auto has not been found. It is a mystery as to where he was the whole day after buying petrol. Visuals of him boarding the 7 pm train on Sunday with two cans of petrol has also been collected.

It is believed that Shahrukh, who came to Kerala for the first time, must have got the help from the locals to land at Shornur and call an auto to go to the pump. If he had planned to attack Kozhikode train, then he need not have gone to Shornur. There are several pumps near Kozhikode railway station and he could have bought petrol from there and board the train.

There is a mystery in choosing D1 coach because behind it is an AC compartment. AC coaches with full curtains etc have the chance for the fire to spread easily. It would have happened on top of the bridge. The depth of the disaster will be indescribable. If the carpenter from Shaheen Bagh had done so much, there may be big forces behind him.

Doubts arise
Why did he go to Shornur for the attack in Kozhikode?
Why did he go one km to buy petrol?
Why did he set fire when the train reached top of the Korapuzha bridge?
Where was it planned, why and who are all behind it?