HAMPI: That a man suspected of having terrorist links was living and working amidst them for the last five years has come as a shock to many people here.

Imran Jalal, who was arrested by the Bangalore police on Friday, was running the "Rising Sun Arts and Crafts", a handicrafts shop selling decorative stones, necklaces, and art pieces on the main bazaar, in front of the Virupaksha Temple.

His presence and activities did not create even an iota of suspicion among his neighbours, including the landlord.

"He was prompt in paying rent," Shivappa, owner of the shop, said.

Aslam Pasha, a resident of Gadag and Imran's assistant, said: "I have been working here for nearly three years and never suspected that my boss could have links with terrorists."

"He was like an ordinary person engaged in business," says Parmesh, who runs a cyber café on the main street of Hampi.

Hilal Ahmed, a Kashmiri youth who runs another handicrafts shop, said that Imran's relations with other Kashmiri youths were cordial.

"His behaviour was normal and he mixed with friends," he says.

Imran was among a group of 37 Kashmiri youths living in Hampi and running a handicrafts shops.

He stayed at Ranipet in Hospet where he had rented the first floor of a house belonging to Sundar Rajan, father of Sheela, former president of the Hospet Municipal Council, in Ranipet.

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