The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested a 19-year-old man from Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore for his alleged links with an AQIS-inspired module and involvement in a conspiracy to carry out
“violent jihadist” activities in the country.
The arrested youth has been identified as Maksood Ali, who hails from Siddharthnagar in Uttar Pradesh. He was was arrested on September 14 with the assistance of the Tamil Nadu ATS. He was subsequently brought to Lucknow on transit remand and produced before the concerned court, where further legal proceedings were underway.
Ali Was In Touch With Pakistan-Based Handler
According to the UP ATS, Ali came under the scanner during the interrogation of Mohammad Nabeel, who was arrested on September 12 in connection with the case. Investigators allege that Ali was in contact with Nabeel and others and had also come in contact with a Pakistan-based handler.
The ATS alleged that Ali was attempting to develop hacking tools and had acquired knowledge of Python, Java, coding and hacking through online platforms, including Instagram, Twitter, Telegram and WhatsApp groups.
In a statement, the UP ATS stated that Ali was associated with several WhatsApp groups, including “UU Entry Gate”, “United Ummah”, “Gazwa e Hind”, “Team Black Hat” and “Lashkar e Mehndi”, some of which allegedly had Pakistani numbers and were used to circulate jihadist and extremist material.
Suspected Operative Developed Messaging App To Contact Group
The ATS further alleged that Ali was part of a WhatsApp group called “La Ghalib – Illallah”, created by Nabeel, where literature linked to the banned terrorist organisation Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and videos showing bomb-making techniques were allegedly shared.
The agency said Ali had also developed a messaging application called “CAPTAIN M NETWORK”, with the stated motto, “One Platform, One Motive: Unity, Plan and Action”, through which Nabeel, Ali and others were allegedly connected.
The investigation into the case is underway.
