3 held in multi-state ISIS-inspired terror crackdown
20 Apr 2017
The Delhi Police special cell and Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) today claimed to have busted an Islamic State-inspired terror module spanning five states, arresting three persons.
The three were arrested on suspicion of terror-related activities in a massive operation carried out simultaneously in Mumbai, Jalandhar, Narkatiaganj in Bihar, Bijnor and Muzaffarnagar. Six suspects were also taken into custody for interrogation.
"UP ATS conducted joint anti-terror raids in Maharashtra, Punjab, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh in coordination with police of the five states," UP ATS chief Asim Arun said.
In a joint operation by UP ATS and a Special Task Force (STF), two people were arrested after a raid was carried out at a mosque in Bijnor's Barhapur area. The ATS had received intelligence that some known terror suspects in West UP had become active and were recruiting new members in preparation to carrying out a terror strike.
The operation was conducted with the help of the Special Cell of Delhi Police, Crime Investigation Cell of Andhra Pradesh, the Maharashtra ATS, Punjab Police and Bihar Police.
Early this morning, the raid team led by ATS arrested Muhammad Fauzan and Muhammad Tanveer, who were on their way to the mosque for morning prayers. Barhapur police station SO Mukesh Kumar confirmed the arrests.
Senior Superintendent of Police (Dehat) Dharamvir Singh said the police had been informed about the ATS raid, but had played no role in it.
Eyewitnesses said the ATS parked their vehicles some distance off and approached the suspects on foot to avoid raising suspicion.