PFI MEMBERS WANTED TO SET UP HIT SQUAD ON THE LINES OF IM
LUCKNOW : Two members of Popular Front of India (PFI), who were arrested in Lucknow, wanted to set an example for new recruits by triggering a series of blasts in UP, said officials of UP STF on Wednesday.
They were natives of Kerala and had planned to carry out explosions near functions of Hindu organisations on Basant Panchami, and other strategic locations in the state. Asad Badruddin, alleged to be national head of PFI’s hit squad, and his aide, Feroz Khan, were arrested on Tuesday in Lucknow. A senior STF official said the duo was trying to recruit youngsters in a bid to establish their hit squad on the lines of ‘Indian Mujahideen’, the outfit responsible for multiple terror attacks.
LUCKNOW : Two members of Popular Front of India (PFI), who were arrested in Lucknow, wanted to set an example for new recruits by triggering a series of blasts in UP, said officials of UP STF on Wednesday.
They were natives of Kerala and had planned to carry out explosions near functions of Hindu organisations on Basant Panchami, and other strategic locations in the state.
Asad Badruddin, alleged to be the national head of PFI’s hit squad, and his accomplice, Feroz Khan, were arrested on Tuesday from a rented room near Gudamba area in Lucknow where they were living since February 11, said the officials.
A senior STF official said the duo was trying to recruit youngsters in a bid to establish their hit squad on the lines of ‘Indian Mujahideen’, the outfit responsible for multiple terror attacks between 2007 and 2013.
Their aim was to inspire youths through their acts and recruit them to carry out terror attacks, he added.
Badruddun, a black belt in martial arts and Feroz, who is claimed to be an expert in assembling bombs, were alleged to be the national trainers of the hit squad.
“Badruddin had the basic responsibility of identifying youths with good physical built, brainwash them, train them in hand to hand assault and use of knife while Feroz’s responsibility was to train recruits in assembling bombs,” said the officials, adding, “The duo had already shortlisted 20 youths for this purpose.” He said the STF recovered 16 explosive devices with battery detonators, a pistol and live cartridges from them.
BANGLADESH VISIT
Initial investigations revealed that Asad Badruddin and Feroz Khan had visited Bangladesh a few months ago, but the reason behind their visit was yet to be ascertained, said an STF official. He said ATS officials, who registered an FIR against the duo after their arrest by the STF, will further probe the matter.