ATS UP Busts 'Big Terror Module', Nabs 2 For Alleged Al-Qaeda Links

An Al Qaeda unit had reportedly planned attacks in crowded areas of Lucknow and other cities of Uttar Pradesh.

File photos of Minaz Ahmad and Maseeruddin, who were arrested by the ATS on Sunday, for purported Al-Qaeda links.

(Photo altered by The Quint)

Anti-Terrorism Squad on Sunday, 11 July informed that Uttar Pradesh (ATS UP) has reportedly uncovered “a big terror module”, following arrests of two purported terrorists with links with Al-Qaeda.

Two men named Minaz Ahmad and Maseeruddin, both residents of Lucknow, have been arrested as part of the operation, reported NDTV, citing the police.

As per a press note by the UP police, a man named Umar Halmandi was tasked with carrying out terrorist activities of Al Qaeda in India. He was driving these activities from the Pakistan/Afghanistan border.

"Halmandi was radicalising and sending AQIS recruits across the border, and hence, had traced and inducted extremists, establishing a terror module in Lucknow," the press note said.

WHAT DID THE ADG SAY?

ANI earlier on Sunday quoted Prashant Kumar, ADG Law and Order, UP, as saying:

“ATS UP has uncovered a big terror module. The team has arrested two terrorists linked with al-Qaeda's Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind. Cache of arms, explosive materials recovered.”

Prashant Kumar, ADG Law and Order, UP

He added, "The terror activities were being run from Peshawar and Quetta on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border."

Minaz Ahmad and Maseeruddin are presently in ATS custody and are being interrogated.

Planned Attack on 15 August: ATS UP

ATS UP has informed that on the directions of Halmandi, Minaz Ahmad and Maseeruddin were planning to attack important places, monuments and crowded areas in several cities of eastern Uttar Pradesh, including Lucknow, on 15 August.

The anti-terrorist organisation further stated, "As per intelligence gathered by the ATS, Minaz Ahmad's son Siraj Ahmad and Maseeruddin's son Ameenuddin played important roles in planning the attack. Several other associates from Lucknow and Kanpur are also involved in this terrorist gang."

As per the note, the police found explosives and a pistol at the home of Minaz Ahmed, who is in his thirties and lives in Kakori town of Lucknow district.

Explosives were also found from Ameenuddin's house.