Tufail, accused in Praveen Nettaru case, was Karnataka head of 'hit squad'

Bengaluru: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has reportedly found that Tufail, the Kodagu-based former secretary of the Popular Front of India (PFI) who has been an accused in BJP Yuva Morcha leader Praveen Nettaru’s murder, was the head of the organization’s hit squad in Karnataka. He had allegedly trained several activists in weapons and combat techniques.

Tufail had been in hiding for eight months at the house of Mohammed Shafi before being arrested on March 5. The NIA has offered a reward of Rs 5 lakh for information leading to his arrest.

According to sources, Tufail was appointed as the head of the PFI’s hit squad in Karnataka due to his proficiency in weapons use and martial arts. He had personally trained physically and mentally fit youths in forest areas bordering Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh on how to use handguns and martial arts, including killing guard dogs and strays.

Under his leadership, a hit squad of 20 members was formed in every district of the state, with the objective of monitoring and collecting information about prominent Hindu leaders and activists, sources added.

The hit squads were reportedly being paid by foreign countries through Hawala, and some PFI activists arrested in Bihar and Karnataka earlier had disclosed this information during interrogation, sources said.

In addition to training activists in weapons use, Tufail had also selected some youths as “reporters” who would attend programs by Hindu leaders and orators and prepare lists of objectionable statements made against their community.

These informers would report the information back to Tufail, who would then plot attacks or killings against the targeted individuals. One such reporter, Kerala-based PFI activist Mohammad Sadiq, was arrested in January in connection with this case, sources claimed.