Sleuths of the Anti-Terrorists Squad (ATS) claimed to have arrested an ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) recruiter who was planning a terror strike during Independence Day.
Keeping in view the sensitivity of the Independence Day celebration, the sleuths of the ATS team were on high alert to foil any subversive attempt, claimed Additional Director General (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar here on Tuesday evening. He said that during surveillance, the ATS sleuths got success when they trapped an ISIS recruiter from Azamgarh on Tuesday. He was identified as Sabauddin Azmi. Reports said that on inputs of counterpart intelligence agencies, the ATS learnt that a youth hailing from Amilo Mubarakpur in Azamgarh was active for ISIS and using social media to lure local youths to join ISIS and help in jihad movement.
The ATS officials claimed to have nabbed Azmi and that after going through his mobile phone, they found that accused was using telegram channel `AL-SAQR MEDIA’ and was in touch with local youths to inspire them to join jihad.
Azmi was also found to be an active member of AIMIM (All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen).
The probe pointed that Azmi was in touch with Syria based ISIS member Abu Baqar Alshami and was taking instructions from him to strike some terror activity in order to avenge the harassment and action on their counterparts in Kashmir.
He was also in touch with one Bilal through Facebook and was briefing him about the exercise done to brainwash the minds of local youths to join jihad and was also planning some subversive activity. Bilal also provided the number of Musa aka Khatab Kashmiri to remain in touch with him on mobile and take further instructions. Azmi also learnt about making improvised explosive devices (IED) from Bilal and Musa. He also learnt how to make hand grenades, timer bombs etc, and was influencing youths to establish an Islamic State in India.
To target the members of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Azmi also made a fake ID in RSS name and tried to get in touch with some members to later strike on them.
The ATS team during arrest also claimed to have recovered a country-made pistol, explosives and other material which he was using to make timer bombs to later strike sometime before coming Independence Day.
The accused was taken to the ATS headquarters for further questioning.