Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested a 19-year-old man from Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to carry out “violent jihadist activities” in India and for being part of WhatsApp groups where bomb-making videos and material linked to the banned Al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) were allegedly circulated.
Maqsood Ali was arrested on Monday with the assistance of the Tamil Nadu ATS, officials said on Wednesday. He was allegedly in contact with Pakistani hackers and had developed a secure communication network that was being used by people linked to the suspected module.
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His arrest is the second in the case in recent days. Mohammad Nabeel, a resident of Azamgarh’s Didarganj area, was arrested on September 12. The ATS said information obtained during Nabeel’s questioning led investigators to Maqsood.
CASE LINKED TO AQIS IDEOLOGY
According to the UP ATS, intelligence inputs indicated that some people influenced by the ideology of Al-Qaida operative Anwar al-Awlaki were allegedly creating groups on social media platforms to plan anti-national activities.
The suspects were allegedly attempting to recruit young people through WhatsApp groups and turn them into “mujahideen”, besides providing funds and training in the use of sophisticated weapons, the agency said.
Following verification of the intelligence, the ATS registered a case under Sections 152 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 18 and 38 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
ALLEGED CONTACT WITH PAKISTANI HACKERS
The ATS alleged that Maqsood, Nabeel and others were part of a conspiracy to carry out “violent jihadist activities against India”.
Maqsood allegedly came into contact with Pakistani hackers and was attempting to develop hacking tools, according to the agency.
During questioning, he allegedly told investigators that he had learnt Python, Java, coding and hacking through online resources. The ATS said he had developed a secure application called “CAPTAIN M NETWORK”, through which Nabeel, Maqsood and others were allegedly connected.
BOMB-MAKING VIDEOS IN WHATSAPP GROUP
According to the ATS, Maqsood was using two WhatsApp accounts and was associated with several groups. Some of these groups allegedly included Pakistani numbers, including numbers linked to Pakistani hackers.
The agency said discussions on developing secure messaging applications were held in the groups, which were also allegedly used to circulate jihadist and extremist material.
Maqsood was also allegedly part of a WhatsApp group created by Nabeel, where literature related to AQIS and videos showing bomb-making techniques were allegedly shared.
BROUGHT TO LUCKNOW
After his arrest in Coimbatore, Maqsood was brought to Lucknow on transit remand and produced before the competent court. The ATS is now questioning him to establish the wider network, identify other associates and investigate the alleged activities of the module.
– Ends
With inputs from Ashish Srivastava
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
