Tamail Nadu cops get rewards for catching terrorists

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa Tuesday announced promotions and cash awards for the state police team involved in nabbing the two Al-Umma terrorists in Andhra Pradesh's Puttur town last week.

Appreciating the valour of the special team, she announced one grade promotion and cash awards to the police personnel involved in the investigation and operation.

On Oct 5, a team of Tamil Nadu Police along with their Andhra Pradesh counterparts arrested two extremists - Panna Ismail and Bilal Malik - holed up in a house in Puttur, around 30 km from the famed Hindu shrine of Tirupati, after over 10-hour standoff.

In the process, Tamu Nadu Police Inspector S.Lakshmanan was seriously attacked by the two terrorists with sickles and knives.

Appreciating his bravery, Jayalalithaa announced a cash award of Rs.15 lakh for him and Rs.5 lakh for all other members of the police team.

She also announced that the medical expenses incurred in treating Lakshman will be borne by the state government.

On Friday, Tamil Nadu Police arrested Fakruddin who was wanted for allegedly planting a "pipe bomb" in Madurai when BJP leader L.K. Advani was touring the state.

All the three arrested are alleged to be involved in the murder of Hindu Munnani leader S.Vellaiyappan and BJP leader V. Ramesh.

Jayalalithaa said the police team recovered a pistol and 17 kg chemicals used to make bombs, stored by Ismail and Malik, from another house in Puttur.