Major saboteur plot before Independence Day busted; Al Qaeda terrorists

New Delhi/Lucknow – The anti-terrorist squad of the Uttar Pradesh police busted a plot for a serial bomb blast before Independence Day. Two terrorists have been arrested from the Kakori area of Uttar Pradesh and a huge haul of weapons and explosives has been seized. These terrorists were in contact with their Pakistani handlers. As per reports, one of these terrorists was involved in an attack in Jammu-Kashmir. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) may soon take over the investigation.

NIA carried out a major action in Jammu-Kashmir on Sunday. NIA raided seven locations in Anantnag. These raids were against the plot to instigate the Kashmiri youth to join the terrorist organisations to carry out terror attacks in India. The NIA detained five people in this connection. While these raids were being conducted in Jammu-Kashmir, two terrorists affiliated with Al Qaeda were arrested from Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. The Uttar Pradesh ATS had been tipped off regarding some suspicious activities. After that, surveillance was being carried out for the last eight to ten days. An operation was started for this purpose.

After realising that two suspicious people were living in two houses in the Kakori area, the ATS officials raided both these houses with complete preparation. Security in the entire area had been strengthened before starting the operation. A terrorist named Minaz Ahmed was arrested from the house of a person named Shahid from Kakori. Whereas, a terrorist named Masiruddin was arrested from a house on Sitapur Road in Lucknow.

A large haul of weapons and explosives has been seized from both houses. Additional Director General of Uttar Pradesh Police, Prashant Kumar, said that two pressure-cooker bombs and a time bomb were seized from Shahid’s house. He also clarified that Shahid is still at large. Prashant Kumar said that this operation was undertaken after receiving a tip-off that Al Qaeda terrorist Umal Halmindi was trying to recruit youth in the terrorist organisations. These efforts were being made in Lucknow. Prashan Kumar said that the terrorists were also planning serial bomb blasts. But he did not elaborate on this. Reports had also been received that some big leaders were on the radar of these terrorists. The apprehended terrorists were in contact with their handlers in Pakistan through social media websites. They were receiving instructions from there. It is suspected that these terrorists also have links with terror attacks in Jammu-Kashmir. Therefore, the Jammu-Kashmir police have been informed about the arrests. Delhi police will also be sending a team to Uttar Pradesh to investigate these terrorists. There is a possibility of some major revelations during the interrogation of these terrorists.

Meanwhile, three terrorists from Jamat Ul Mujahidin were arrested in West Bengal on Sunday. This action was carried out by the task force of the Kolkata police. These terrorists were hiding in a rental house. The terrorists are being interrogated; the West Bengal police have not revealed more information regarding the matter.