On Thursday (22nd August), a total of 14 people were arrested by Delhi police in connection with the Al-Qaeda-inspired terror module. In a joint operation with police forces from Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, the Delhi Police Special Cell busted an Al-Qaeda-inspired terror module. The arrested accused have been identified as Ishtiyaq Ahmed, Motiur, Rizwan, Mufti Rahmatullah, and Faizan.
Fourteen suspects detained, related to Al Qaeda Module. Suspects were from different states, whose head Dr. Ishtiyaq was a Jharkhand-based doctor. Interrogations are currently underway at various locations and additional arrests are anticipated. Recoveries of arms, ammunition,…
— ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2024
The module, led by Dr Ishtiyaq from Ranchi, aimed to establish a ‘Khilafat’ and carry out terrorist activities in India. “The members of the module have received indoctrination and weapons training at various locations,” the police said.
This comes after on the 15th of July, the Special Cell of the Delhi police lodged a complaint under Section 61 (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Since then, the anti-terror squad has been collecting information on the accused.
Interrogations are currently underway at various locations and additional arrests are anticipated. Speaking about the progress in the case, Jharkhand DGP Anurag Gupta said: “Action is being taken in this case. We have received good inputs from Delhi Police and other agencies and many people have been arrested in this and incriminating literature and weapons have been recovered. Investigation is going on.”
#WATCH | On the Al Qaeda module case, Jharkhand DGP Anurag Gupta says, "Action is being taken in this case. We have received good inputs from Delhi Police and other agencies and many people have been arrested in this and incriminating literature and weapons have been recovered.… pic.twitter.com/LIzH7i3rPN
— ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2024
As per the police, 15 places in Ranchi, one in Rajasthan, and one in Aligarh have been raided so far. The police seized various items from the spot, including, one AK-47 rifle, a 38-bore revolver, one air rifle, one iron elbow pipe, one hand grenade, and six live cartridges of AK-47, among others. The operation has foiled a potential terrorist threat, and investigations are continuing to uncover more details about the module’s plans and activities.
Reports say that several documents and electronic devices have also been seized from the arrested terrorists. Preliminary analysis of these documents and devices has revealed that the accused Jihadis were working on their designs like expanding the Al Qaeda in the Indian subcontinent, bringing in more youths and radicalising them, establishing Sharia law in India and waging war against Bangladesh. They had planned to carry out terrorist attacks in many cities including New Delhi. A madrasa cleric is also among those arrested in Ranchi.
The ATS arrested Faizan alias Munna from Lohsinghana in Hazaribagh, as well as Mohammad Rizwan and Mufti Rahmatullah from Chanho in Ranchi. Mufti Rahmatullah operates a madrasa in Chanho, Ranchi. Meanwhile, Altaf Ansari of Kudu in Lohardaga and three other individuals from Chanho in Ranchi are also being questioned. The authorities have recovered two carbines and an airgun from Altaf Ansari’s Kauwakhap village.
Notably, accused Dr Ishtiyaq, who led the terror module, possesses MBBS and MD degrees in Radiology and operates a clinic in Ranchi. According to reports, Ishtiyak is linked to Abdul Rehman Katki, a close associate of Abdul Rehman Lakhvi, the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai terror assault who is currently lodged in Tihar Jail.
