including a Muslim cleric in connection with a blast at a mosque in Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh. As per Jagran report, the explosives were procured in April 2019 itself. One Haji Kutubuddin had reportedly told the youth who had stored the explosive that ‘something big’ is being planned. The explosives reportedly weigh around 8-10 kgs.
As per Jagran report, role of Haji Kutubiddin’s grandson Ashfaq’s role is also being investigated. Ashfaq and his wife are working with in the health department of the Indian Army and are posted in Hyderabad. It is believed Ashfaq was in Kushinagar when the blast took place on Monday and he reached the spot and immediately cleaned it up. Agencies are also investigating whether the explosives reached the mosque via Ashfaq.
According to the reports, the UP police had registered an FIR against seven persons. Among the four arrested is the Imam of the mosque, Maulana Azmuddin, while three others are absconding.
Vinod Kumar Mishra, SP (Kushinagar) said that the others arrested are Izhar, Aashiq and Javed, who are residents of the Bairagi Patti village. The Uttar Pradesh police are yet to ascertain the motive behind the blast that occurred at the mosque on Monday.
According to the forensic reports, the explosion was caused by explosives stored in the mosque. Initially, it was believed that the blast was caused by an explosion in an inverter battery. However, it further investigation had revealed that it was not the case.
ATS Gorakhpur, intelligence agencies and Local Intelligence Unit (LIU) teams have joined the investigation. During interrogation, the cleric admitted that he and some other youths had kept the explosives in the mosque.
The blast took place in Bairagai Patti village here on Monday afternoon. The explosion was strong enough to rip apart doors and windows in the mosque.
