NIA to interrogate ISIS suspect held from Kullu

Even as Kullu police is interrogating ISIS suspect Abid Khan alias Abu Mohammad, National Investigation Agency (NIA) team is likely to visit the state to interrogate the suspect. Khan was sent to five-day police remand on Sunday. Police has been interrogating him on various grounds and gathering information. “He is cooperating but how far he is speaking the truth is a matter of further investigation,” a senior cop told HT, requesting anonymity.

Even as Kullu police is interrogating ISIS suspect Abid Khan alias Abu Mohammad, National Investigation Agency (NIA) team is likely to visit the state to interrogate the suspect.

On Saturday evening, Kullu police on a tip-off from central agencies had arrested Abid Khan from Sidhwan. He is suspected to have been planning to escape to Indonesia to his female friend.(HT File Photo)

Khan was sent to five-day police remand on Sunday. Police has been interrogating him on various grounds and gathering information. “He is cooperating but how far he is speaking the truth is a matter of further investigation,” a senior cop told HT, requesting anonymity.

Police also interrogated the local chapel priest Kamlesh. Sources said Khan, who was living here as Paul C Neo, was sent here by a priest in Bangalore. “Both the suspect and Kamlesh have been cooperating. NIA has complete information about the arrest and soon a team will visit here,” he added.

On Saturday evening, Kullu police on a tip-off from central agencies had arrested Abid Khan from Sidhwan. He is suspected to have been planning to escape to Indonesia to his female friend. He had plans to go to Siria, revealed a cop.

Khan had been converted into Christianity in Bangalore and living here with a name- Paul C Neo. However, his identity proofs bore his original name. Already fluent in five to six languages, Khan was learning Hebrew language in Kullu, which is mostly in practice in Israel.

A case was registered under Section 419 (punishment for cheating by personation) of the Indian Penal Code and under Section 18 (punishment for conspiracy), 19 (punishment for harbouring) of unlawful activities prevention Act, 1967.

During the search, all identity proofs recovered from him were on his original name. Police sources said NIA had arrested few people in Bangalore in January this year and Abid was under scanner since then.