Bangladesh-based terror outfit helped PFI men arrange explosives for terror plot

The two accused revealed that they visited Bangladesh a few months ago to seek Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen’s help for arranging explosives and firearms to trigger terror blasts in India

Published on: Feb 19, 2021, 07:27:20 IST

By Rohit Kumar Singh | Edited by Abhinav Sahay, Lucknow

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Bangladesh-based terror outfit Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen helped the two members of Popular Front of India (PFI), arrested in Lucknow, in arranging explosives and firearms to carry out terror activities in UP and other parts of the country, said UP STF and ATS officials on Thursday.

The two PFI operatives are being quizzed by the ATS for their terror links. (HT FILE)

The special task force (STF) of Uttar Pradesh police arrested the two PFI members, Asad Badruddin and Feroz Khan, both residents of Kerala, from Lucknow’s Gudamba area on Tuesday. Sixteen high explosive devices with battery detonators, a pistol and live cartridges were recovered from them.

The ATS booked them for illegal possession of explosives, firearms and waging war against the country.

During interrogation, the two accused revealed that they visited Bangladesh a few months ago to seek Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen’s help for arranging explosives and firearms to trigger terror blasts in India, said an ATS official. The two accused were quizzed rigorously on the first day of their seven-day custody.

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A senior STF official said Jammat-ul-Mujahideen was operating in Bangladesh for the last 23 years. It was declared a terrorist organisation and banned by the government of Bangladesh in February 2005 after it carried out attacks on some NGOs.

Another police official said identities of five other members of PFI’s hit squad had been established and efforts were on to trace them.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rohit Kumar Singh
Rohit Kumar Singh is a senior journalist based in Lucknow and currently serves as Special Correspondent and City Chief with Hindustan Times. With over 25 years of experience in journalism, he specialises in investigative reporting, with a strong focus on crime, policing, internal security, terrorism, governance and public policy in Uttar Pradesh. He began his journalism career in 2000 and joined Hindustan Times in June 2008 after working with The Daily Pioneer and Sahara Samay. Over the years, he has produced numerous high-impact investigative and exclusive reports on organised crime, terrorism, law enforcement, politics, governance and public administration. Rohit has extensively covered major criminal investigations, terror incidents, elections, police reforms, anti-terror operations, corruption, communal violence and other sensitive security issues. His reporting is recognised for its accuracy, depth, strong sourcing and analytical approach, making him one of the most respected journalists covering the police and internal security beat in Uttar Pradesh. Throughout his career, he has consistently delivered stories that have shaped public discourse, exposed systemic lapses and promoted accountability in governance and law enforcement. He continues to focus on public-interest journalism, combining investigative reporting with in-depth analysis of issues that impact governance and public safety.Read More

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