Karnataka coastal belt on red alert; satellite phone calls tracked to foreign locations

• Agencies have detected calls emanating from multiple locations in Karwar, Dakshina Kannada and Chikkamaglur districts

• The dense forest and hilly terrain in the districts provide a perfect habitat for suspected terrorists to hide

• It is being investigated whether the foreign elements are activating the sleeper cells in these locations

Bengaluru: The central intelligence agencies have issued a red alert along Karnataka's 225-kilometre-long coastal stretch after finding suspected terror activities in the thick forests and hilly regions. According to a report in news agency IANS, the agencies have detected calls emanating from multiple locations in Karwar, Dakshina Kannada and Chikkamaglur districts, which have been under scrutiny by intelligence agencies for long now for terrorist and Naxal activities. The dense forest and hilly terrain in the districts provide a perfect habitat for suspected terrorists to hide and conduct anti-national activities. The calls were made last week from these areas in Karnataka to the foreign locations, the news agency mentioned sources as saying. Investigators are tracking the phone calls. It has been revealed that the calls were made to talk about committing nefarious acts. Meanwhile, it is being investigated whether the foreign elements are activating the sleeper cells in these locations. These calls were made by suspected terrorists, according to sources. It is also being suspected that these calls may have been made from sleeper cells in Karnataka. Intelligence agencies suspect that terrorists are using Thuraya satellite phones, which are legally prohibited in India since 2012. Twelve suspected Islamic State terrorists from Sri Lanka are suspected of crossing into the state's coastal districts disguised as fishermen, according to the agencies. As a result, coastal regions have been placed on red alert. Last month, intelligence agencies had raided multiple locations in Karnataka and Kerala. Moreover, they took two people into custody for having connections with terrorist groups and spreading anti-India propaganda. On September 01, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai had told the media: "I can not discuss some issues openly, but I want to tell you that the Karnataka Police along with the NIA (National Intelligence Agency) is keeping a strict vigil on any anti-national activity in coastal and adjoining forest areas. The NIA had also picked up a person who was involved in such activities. We have also issued a high alert has in coastal areas." Mohamed Ahmad Siddibappa, also known as Yasin Bhatkal, was the founder of the terrorist organisation Indian Mujahideen (IM). On the most wanted list of the NIA, Mohamed Ahmad Siddibappa hailed from the coastal town of Bhatkal in Karnataka.