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Gorakhnath temple attack: Investigation agencies suspect terror link
UP ATS and STF jointly investigating the incident to ascertain motive behind attack at Gorakhnath temple and attacker’s links
The state investigation agencies suspect a terror link in the incident of security breach at Gorakhpur’s Gorakhnath temple premises, which also houses chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s residence as he is head priest of the temple.
One Ahmad Murtaza Abbasi, 30, tried to enter the temple premises on Sunday evening and attacked security personnel at its gate when challenged. In the process, Abbasi injured two constables of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) with a sickle but his bid to enter the premises was foiled and he was arrested. Abbasi also tried to snatch the rifle of a security man.
“Investigation so far has not ruled out the possibility of a terror link in the attack,” said UP additional chief secretary (ACS), home, Awanish Awasthi and additional director general (ADG), law and order, Prashant Kumar at a joint press conference here on Monday.
They said the UP Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) and Special Task Force (STF) were jointly investigating the incident.
They added that ADG ATS Naveen Arora and ADG STF Amitabh Yash had been asked to visit the spot and examine circumstances for a detailed investigation.
Awasthi and Kumar said the two agencies were trying to ascertain the attacker’s motive and plan behind the incident.
Meanwhile, a person familiar with Abbasi’s family claimed that he was mentally ill and a psychiatrist in Jamnagar, Ahmedabad was treating him since 2017. His father Munir Abbasi, however, did not respond to calls made by HT.
Reward for cops
The ACS said the chief minister has announced a reward of ₹5 lakh for three cops, including two injured PAC constables, for foiling the security breach attempt and overpowering the attacker. The three cops include two PAC constables Gopal Goud and Anil Paswan and one civil police constable Anurag Rajput.
Data retrieved
Kumar said content from Abbasi’s laptop and data of his mobile phone, retrieved so far, were sensational in nature and hinted towards some major conspiracy behind the attack. He said the attacker was nabbed by security personnel otherwise he could have caused harm to visitors at the temple premises.
He said two separate FIRs, regarding the attack and recovery of items, have been registered at Gorakhnath police station in this connection.
He said the recovered items have been handed over to the ATS team.
Kumar also said security of vital installations, including Gorakhnath temple, Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, Ram temple in Ayodhya and Sri Krishna temple in Mathura, was been reviewed after this incident.
Another senior police officer said Abbasi attacked the security personnel with a sickle and a knife was also been recovered from his bag. Besides, the attacker’s PAN and Aadhar cards and a laptop and mobile phone were recovered from his bag.
This officer said constable Gopal Gaud suffered injuries on his back and right hand while constable Anil Paswan had injuries on his right leg and hand. He said the attacker also fractured his left hand and was undergoing treatment at a hospital in police custody.
Attacker’s profile
A police official, privy to the investigation, said Abbasi completed his chemical engineering from Mumbai’s IIT in 2015 and thereafter worked in a multi-national company while being posted in Jamnagar, Gujarat for a long time. He said Abbasi’s education and upbringing had been done in Mumbai as his father Muneer Ahmad Abbasi worked there as legal advisor in a private form.
The official said Abbasi’s family returned to their native Gorakhpur after his father’s retirement a few years ago. Abbasi’s Aadhar card has address of Navi Mumbai, he added.
Charges on attacker
The police have slapped charges against Abbasi under multiple sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC) in the first FIR registered with Gorakhnath police station early Monday morning.
He has been charged under IPC sections 186 (for voluntarily obstructing public servant in discharge of his public functions), 153-A (wanton vilification or attack upon the religion, race, place of birth, residence, language etc), 304 (attempt to murder), 332 (causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty), 333 (causing grievous hurt to deter public servant from his duty), 353 (causing grievous hurt to deter public servant from his duty) and 394 (causing hurt in committing robbery). Besides, section 7 of Criminal Law Amendment Act has been slapped against him for causing panic through his act.
