Tanzil Ahmed case: Main accused in NIA official’s murder arrested

The accused, Muneer was arrested along with two associates from Noida.

More than two months after deputy superintendent of National Investigative Agency (NIA) Mohammad Tanzeel Ahmad and his wife Farzana were shot dead, the UP special task force (STF) has arrested the key accused Muneer and his accomplice Adnan from Greater Noida on Tuesday.

Youth Congress workers paying tribute to NIA officer Mohammed Tanzil Ahmed during a condolence meeting at PCC office in Bhopal on Wednesday, April 6, 2016. Ahmed was shot dead by two motorcycle-borne assailants on April 3, 2016. (Mujeeb Faruqui/ HT Photo)

Police said Muneer, 25, was hiding at his friend Adnan’s apartment in Crossing Republik locality of Ghaziabad.

“Three teams of UP police, including STF Agra, STF Noida and Aligarh police have been tracking Muneer for two months. He was intercepted near a temple at Bisrakh area on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday. When police asked him to surrender, he started firing indiscriminately,” said Amit Pathak, senior superintendent of police (SSP), STF west.

Pathak said the team retaliated and forced him to take shelter. “He was overpowered and was arrested. His accomplice Adnan, who was giving him shelter at his flat at Crossings Republik, was also arrested,” said Pathak.

Tanzeel and Farzana were shot dead at Bijnor area on April 2. Two of the attackers, Rayyan and Jumi alias Zainul were arrested earlier. Tanzeel suffered over 12 bullet injuries and died on the spot while Farzana succumbed to the gun shots at a Delhi hospital 10 days later. Police denied any terror link in the incident. They said Muneer and Tanzeel were of the same village. Muneer knew him and his gang member Rayyan is the cousin of Tanzeel. Rayyan had a property dispute at his village where Tanzeel allegedly helped his opponents. Muneer was irked over the issue and also thought Tanzeel was leaking information about his gang to the police.

Muneer’s godfather Ashutosh Mihsra, a dreaded criminal, was arrested last year and Muneer again thought Tanzeel was behind his arrest. “He approached Tanzeel earlier this year seeking help in getting Mishra out of jail, however, Tanzeel denied… Muneer feared Tanzeel will get Rayyan also arrested and decided to eliminate him,” said Pathak.

(With inputs from IANS)