Police get 14-day custody of two Al-Qaeda linked operatives
The accused would be asked about their alleged links with terror groups, how they were recruited, the training they received in handling explosives and detonation devices
LUCKNOW: The police on Monday secured 14 days’ custody remand of two alleged operatives of an Al-Qaeda linked terror module for further questioning, a day after the AntiTerrorism Squad (ATS) of UP Police arrested them from Lucknow. The duo was produced in an ATS court in the state capital.
Confirming the development, UP Police additional director general (law and order) Prashant Kumar said,
“We have secured 14 days’ police custody remand of Meenhaz Ahmed, 32, resident of Zehta Barawan Kala on the Dubagga bypass road under the Kakori police station limits, and Maseerudeen alias Musheer, 50, of Mohbillapur locality on Sitapur Road under the Madiaon police station limits (both in Lucknow). The custody will begin from Tuesday morning. The duo will remain under custody of ATS for further questioning in the matter.”
A senior police official said that the accused would be asked about their alleged links with terror groups, how they were recruited by them, the training they received in handling explosives and detonation devices.
UP ATS seized two semi-prepared IED-based pressure cooker bombs and explosive materials, as well as a pistol, during a search at a housecum-workshop in Lucknow on Sunday. The recovered explosives have been sent to forensic laboratory for identification of the type and possible origin.
Police officials have claimed that the accused were planning to organise serial blasts at multiple cities in Uttar Pradesh around Independence Day. Officials would also try to identify the cities which were on the hit list of the duo.
People privy to the matter said ATS officials detained at least eight people from various parts of the state who were in constant touch with the accused. The detained individuals were being questioned about their links with the duo, they added. ATS has reportedly detained five suspects from Kanpur. The duo frequently visited Kanpur and met people there.
The ADG had said on Sunday they were associated with Al Qaeda linked Ansar Gazwatul Hind and the two arrested accused, along with one of their accomplices Shakeel, were planning to carry out blasts at crowded places and important installations before August 15.
The ADG had also said that the duo was part of the local module prepared under the flagship of Al-Qaeda Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) organisation.
He said the arrested persons’ handler was Umar Halmandi, a known Al-Qaeda operative who runs terror activities from his hideout on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. The duo was in touch with Halmandi via a popular social media site for more than a year, ATS officials said. An intercept of their communication, along with intelligence input helped ATS track, identify and arrest the duo. “The duo will also be asked about funding and their existing network in the country. The ATS is also in touch with other agencies on this matter,” said the officer.