What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
NEW DELHI: A terror strike is said to have been averted in the national capital after Delhi Police in co-ordination with central security agencies arrested a Pakistan national, Mohammad Ashraf, alias Ali, with a huge cache of arms and ammunition from Ramesh Park area of East Delhi on Monday.
Ashraf was said to be masquerading as Pir Maulana in Laxmi Nagar area of Delhi. He was arrested by a team of Special Cell, the anti terrorist unit of Delhi Police, last evening. The preliminary investigations have revealed that the accused was planning subversive strikes during Dussehra-Deepawali festivities. He had even surveyed crowded market places for planting bombs for spreading terror.
Ashraf had allegedly intruded India via Bangladesh 10 yrs ago. He was working at the behest of a Rawalpindi (Pakistan)-based ISI operative, Nasir, and was a part of the ‘sleeper cell’ of Pakistani ISI. He was allegedly coordinating with other terrorists active in India and was waiting for further instructions. Also Read: TRF Terror Conspiracy Case: NIA Swoops Down At 16 J&K Locations
Pak Spy Married A Woman In Bihar To Acquire Indian Passport
According to Pramod Singh Kushwah, DCP, Special Cell, “Ashraf was identified after security agencies tracked down his movements. He had obtained Indian identity by getting forged documents. Ashraf came to India a decade ago and had been shifting bases. He has been to Jammu and other parts of the Kashmir Valley as well. It was in Bihar that he married a woman to acquire an Indian passport”, DCP added.
According to the police, the accused has confessed to his involvement in the terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir, a claim that the police is trying to further verify. “Ashraf was put to sustained interrogation, following which he revealed his real identity. He claimed he was Mohammad Ashraf, son of Umardeen, a resident of Village Kotli Sindhwan, post office Kanjroor of Narowal district in Punjab, Pakistan,” shared the DCP.
Huge Cache Of Arms And Ammunitions Recovered
The Special Cell sleuths recovered one AK 47 assault rifle with additional loaded magazine, 60 rounds of cartridges, one hand grenade, two sophisticated pistols with 50 rounds at Ashraf’s instance from near Yamuna Ghat, Kalindi Kunj in South East Delhi. He was also carrying Indian IDs and two mobile phones. His call details are being scanned.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that Ashraf was in regular touch with his handlers in Pakistan. He was taken to Turkman Gate in the Walled City area by the police team and an Indian passport was recovered at his instance. “We are trying to identify other people involved in helping Ashraf”, Kushwah said. Four other people, who were in touch with Ashraf, are being questioned by the police, he further said. Also Read: JCO Among 5 Army Personnel Killed In Encounter With Terrorists In J&K’s Poonch
Ashraf has been arrested under sections of UA(P) Act, Explosive Act, Arms Act and other provisions of law are being invoked against him.
Ashraf is being jointly interrogated by the Delhi Police and central security agencies. They are trying to decipher coded messages received by the alleged Pakistani terrorist from his handlers in Pakistan and as well as from those who had stayed with him at his Ramesh Park hideout, the police said.
Meanwhile, Special Cell is carrying out raids in other parts of the city and adjoining areas to apprehend the accomplices of Ashraf. More arrests are likely. As of now, it appears to be a carefully hatched sinister plot to create mayhem in the city during the festive season, senior officials said.
It may be recalled that Delhi had witnessed a series of blasts on October 29, 2005, just a day before the Diwali. Scores of people were killed in bomb blasts at crowded Paharganj and Sarojini Nagar markets. This time around too, Pakistani ISI had prepared a sinister plot to singe Delhi during festivities, officials added. Also Read: Mundra Port Drug Recovery Case: Here’s What We Know Of NIA’s Searches At 5 NCR Locations
