Al-Qaeda-inspired terror plot foiled; 12 arrested

NEW DELHI: The intelligence establishment dismantled an al-Qaeda-inspired module that included extremist groups The Wahhabis spread across several states, who were allegedly about to execute terrorist strikes.
The intelligence agency orchestrated simultaneous operations in four states, resulting in the arrest of a dozen individuals. One of them, Dr. Ishtiyaq Ahmed A native of Jharkhand, he is believed to have held a key position in the group, known as Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS). He was employed as a radiologist at a private clinic.
However, a key member of the module, named Guddu, managed to escape from Mewat region during the raids, leaving the sleuths red-faced, sources in Rajasthan said.
A large quantity of arms and ammunition was seized during the raids and a training camp located in Bhiwadi was neutralised. The operation was carried out with the help of investigators from the Delhi Special Cell and anti-terror squads from various states.
The training camp was located in a densely forested area of Chopanki in Rajasthan’s Bhiwadi district. Around six to seven people were arrested from there.
Besides Dr Ahmed, the other suspects in the Ranchi module have been identified as Motiur, Rizwan, Mufti Rahmatullah and Faizan. The other men arrested are Hasan, Enamul, Altaf Ansari, Arshad, Umar Farooq and Shahbaz.
In Jharkhand, Special Task Force (STF) sleuths conducted raids at 16 locations, including a madrassa in Ranchi, Hazaribag and Lohardaga, based on intelligence inputs.
The neutralized module is linked to an AQIS module dismantled by the agencies in 2016. Two of the men arrested in that operation, Abdul Rehman Katki and Abdul Sami, have also resurfaced in the case.
Katki, who is currently in custody, is said to have recruited boys from different districts like Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Lohardaga and Chatra for AQIS. A few have been arrested, while others have managed to go unnoticed and continue their operations. Some of the remaining operatives have now been apprehended.
The module appears to have been inspired by al-Qaeda ideologue Abu Sufian, who is believed to be in Afghanistan. The seizure includes an AK-47 rifle, a .38 caliber revolver, cartridges of various calibers, a dummy Insas rifle, an air rifle and a hand grenade.
In addition, components of improvised explosive devices were seized, including an iron elbow pipe, a key remote control mechanism, cables, a battery, a table clock, ground sheets, a target, a camping tent, and food and beverages such as biscuits, crisps, and a bottle of water. A significant amount of jihadist literature was also confiscated.
“The module was aiming to declare Khilafat and carry out serious terrorist activities in the country. The members of the module were given indoctrination and weapons training at various places. Six individuals were arrested from Bhiwadi, Rajasthan while undergoing weapons training,” Delhi Police said in a statement.