Mumbai: Highly trained terror suspects foiled! ATS thwarts sinister plot

Mohammed Yunus Saki and Imran Khan were arrested in Pune

In a startling revelation, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has disclosed that the accused apprehended in connection with the Al-Sufa terror organisation case are suspected to have ties with an international terror outfit. The ATS officers said that the arrested individuals are highly trained. Their nefarious plans have been thwarted, thanks to the apprehension of two of their associates by the Pune police while attempting to steal a bike.

According to the officers, the accused stayed in jungles, using tents to avoid leaving traces, and never booked any lodges or hotels. The ATS team is currently carrying out searches at various places in Maharashtra, suspecting that the accused have carried out bomb trials in the jungles. Sources have revealed that the accused stayed in the Kamshet and Amboli forest area in Pune and forest area in Kolhapur, and Sangli.

The investigation has taken a crucial turn with the recovery of a 500GB data cache from the gadgets of the suspects. This data includes incriminating videos and chats, some of which were even shot using drones. The ATS is currently verifying the authenticity of this evidence in collaboration with the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL). What worries the authorities even more is the discovery of Google locations of several sensitive areas in Pune and Mumbai, including the infamous Chabad House of Colaba, targeted during the 26/11 attacks.

Officers said they are leaving no stone unturned in scrutinising every aspect of the case before drawing any conclusions. "The arrested individuals have remained tight-lipped about their plans, and the elusive escapee is suspected to be the mastermind behind the sinister plot. It appears he had a deeper knowledge of the plan and was in contact with international terror networks," said an officer privy to the information.

The ATS has made significant progress in the case, apprehending four individuals thus far. The two initial suspects, Mohammed Imran Khan and Mohammed Yunus Saki were apprehended by Pune police. Meanwhile, their associate Shahnawaz, believed to be the mastermind, managed to escape. However, following the recovery of explosives and sensitive materials, the case was transferred to the Maharashtra ATS.

More arrests
In recent developments, the ATS has arrested two more suspects. Abdul Kadir Pathan, a resident of Gondia, was taken into custody for providing shelter to the previously arrested individuals by the Pune Police. Additionally, Simaab Nasruddin Qazi, 27, a mechanical engineer from Ratnagiri, has been arrested for providing financial support to the earlier apprehended suspects.

Sources have revealed that Qazi sent R28,000 to Pathan, who then provided the same amount to the arrested accused by Pune police. "The accused was not able to explain the financial trail, and hence he was arrested for custodial interrogation," said an officer of the ATS.

500 gb
Amount of data recovered from suspects