In a major crackdown on suspected Islamic State (IS) sympathisers, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) sleuths have arrested three people. One of them, Mohammad Hussain Khan alias Jamil, was nabbed from Mazgoan area late on Friday night.
The three are alleged to have brainwashed and recruited youths for IS. One of the suspects is a clergy who was instrumental in radicalising youths from Malwani last month.
The Maharashtra ATS, in a joint operation with their UP counterparts, on Saturday nabbed Khalid alias Rizwan Ahmed Ali Nawazuddin from Kasiya in Kushinagar district. "Khalid was the one who was instrumental in radicalising youths from Malwani and was wanted in a case registered by the ATS in December last year," said an ATS officer.
On October 30, Malwani resident Ayaz Sultan, 23, a call- centre employee went missing. Sultan had left home telling his family that he is going to Pune in connection with a job offer from a Kuwaiti company.
However, when the family learnt that Sultan had lied about his job, they reported the matter to the Malwani police. The police probe later revealed that, on November 1, Sultan flew to Kabul and is believed to have joined a radical group there.
On December 15, three of Sultan's friends and Malwani residents, Wajid Shaikh, 25, a commerce graduate; Mohsin Shaikh, 26, an auto-rickshaw driver; and, Noor Mohammad Shaikh, 32, also left their homes.
All three had left home citing false reasons. While Wajid and Noor Mohammad returned home after a few days, Mohsin, who is suspected to be a hardliner, is still at large.
"Our probe revealed that Sultan and his friends were radicalised by a clergy identified as Khalid. Khalid is being brought to Mumbai. Khalid was also in touch with IS sympathisers from other states," said an ATS officer.
Khalid has been charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
ATS sleuths on Friday night nabbed businessman Mohammad Hussain Khan alias Jamil, 36. Khan, a resident of Pearl Harbour building in Mazgaon, is working in a gold ornament manufacturing unit business.
Khan was produced by the special NIA court around 12.05 pm. When asked by the judge if he wanted to say anything, Khan replied "Sahab mujhse galti hui main maanta hoon" (Sir, I admit I made a mistake). The reference was believed to have been made with regards to his association with other radicals.
Khan's two wives and brother were present in the court. Khan was escorted out of the court with heavy police bandobast around 12.45 pm. Khan's brother told media persons that whatever Khan told inside the courtroom was under police pressure and refused to comment further.
One of Khan's neighbours said on condition of anonymity: "Khan never interacted with anyone much and would give Eidi (money given on the day of Eid) to security and domestic workers. He would leave around 10.30 am for work and would return by evening. Nobody knows much about him." They expressed shock over Khan's arrest and his alleged association with radicals.
The ATS has seized a laptop, two mobile phones, an ipad and two photographs from Khan's residence. "Khan was in touch with Aurangabad-based suspected radical Imran Pathan and Mumbra resident Mudabbir Mushtaq Sheikh alias Abu Musab, 33, who was arrested on Friday," said the officer.
ATS sleuths on Saturday morning also nabbed one Imran Moazzam Khan Pathan, 26, a resident of Badi Masjid area in Waijapur, Aurangabad district, for his alleged links with IS. According to the police, Pathan was nabbed from his residence around 10.30 am and his custody was handed over to the NIA.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "dna")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}