The accused was questioned earlier as well due to his link to Chaus and Khan but was let go; brought in again later
The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) officials have arrested another Islamic State (IS) sympathiser, based in Parbhani, and suspected to be involved in anti-national activities. Iqbal Ahmed Kabir Ahmed (28) was brainwashed with the IS ideology and was in close contact with the other arrested accused along with the IS’s foreign handler.
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“We have found concrete evidence pointing his involvement as an active member of the (Parbhani) module, so he was placed under arrest,” said Atulchandra Kulkarni, additional director general of police, ATS.
Connecting the dots
According to sources, Ahmed is an HSC graduate, who hails from a poor family living in Gulzar Colony, Parbhani. Around three weeks ago, he was employed with a local dealer of a cellular service provider. Later, he took up the job of an estate broker.
Ahmed is a close friend of Shahid Khan, who was earlier arrested with Naser Chaus from Parbhani for plotting to bomb the Nanded and Aurangabad police headquarters. Ahmed, who was internet-savvy, was active online and was using various accounts on the internet.
After Chaus and Khan’s arrest, Ahmed was questioned by the ATS due to his proximity to the duo, however, he was let go at the time. On Sunday, he was again called in by the Nanded ATS for questioning and this time, he was arrested, an ATS officer said.
Sources said that Ahmed’s name cropped up in the investigation after ATS analysed the phone call details and Khan’s online activities.
The bike conundrum
More arrests are likely in the case as ATS officials have now turned their sights on those who had provided aid and logistical support to the arrested accused. The police is also on the lookout for those who may be linked with a bike, suspected to be used to carry out the attack and which was seized by the ATS.
The bike was bought with the aid of a mediator from a private finance company. This mediator is suspected to be involved in conducting reconnaissance of the police headquarters with other accused.
The arrested accused have been booked under relevant sections of UAPA Act and Explosives Act. ATS has also booked Syria-based handler, Farooq, for indoctrinating Chaus and Khan and also carry out an attack in India.
The two were plotting the attack during Ramadan, but developed cold feet and decided to postpone it to Ganeshotsav. The ATS had also seized a IED from their possession and they were suspected to be funded via hawala.
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