Attacker’s kin asked to record statements

Accused Abbasi was on the radar of security agencies when he sent money to Syria from his bank account recently in 2021

NOTICES HAVE BEEN SENT TO HIS UNCLE AND FOUR OTHER RELATIVES TO RECORD THEIR STATEMENT WITH ATS

LUCKNOW : Notices have been sent to the Gorakhnath temple attacker’s uncle and four other relatives to record their statements with UP ATS (Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad), a senior police official said. His father has been already questioned.

The move comes when the state investigation agencies have interrogated the attacker about his motive and plan for a week.

On April 3 evening, Ahmad Murtaza Abbasi tried to forcibly enter the Gorakhnath temple premises in Gorakhpur.

He attacked security personnel at the gate when challenged. In the process, Abbasi injured two PAC (Provincial Armed Constabulary) constables with a sickle, but his bid to enter the premises was foiled. He was arrested.

The state investigation agencies have suspected a terror link behind the attack. Additional director general (law and order) Prashant Kumar had on Monday (April 4) said the security breach attempt was part of a major conspiracy.

The UP ATS on Friday (April 8) had summoned his father Munir Ahmad Abbasi, retired legal advisor of a private company, for questioning. Now, notices have been sent to his uncle and four other relatives to record their statement with ATS.

The officials said the police were interrogating Abbasi during his seven-day police custody remand since April 4 evening. The remand will end on April 11.

Abbasi was on the radar of security agencies when he sent money to Syria from his bank account recently in 2021 and two persons went to his place to verify his credentials, said people familiar with the matter. Alerted by this visit on April 2, he attacked security personnel at Gorakhnath temple gate on April 3 (Sunday), they said.

ADG Prashant Kumar, however, had denied this and stated that the visit of two suspicious people to Abbasi’s house had nothing to do with the police.

Police officials said a large amount of money was found deposited in Abbasi’s bank account and his family members said he was planning to move to Canada.

However, they were not aware of any suspicious funds transfer to Syria, the officials added.