ATS arrests 7 men with suspected Maoists links during raids in Noida

ATS officials said that the arrested persons were planning kidnappings and robberies in the National Capital Region. However, the officials maintained that the accused did not confess to hatching a conspiracy to carry out an attack in the area.

The Uttar Pradesh Anti-terrorist Squad (ATS) arrested seven men with suspected Maoists links during raids at Hindon Vihar, Sector 49, Noida.

ATS personnel stand guard outside a building in Hindon Vihar area following a raid to nab suspected Maoists. (HT Photo)

ATS officials said that the arrested persons were planning kidnappings and robberies in the National Capital Region. However, the officials maintained that the accused did not confess to hatching a conspiracy to carry out an attack in the area.

“Apart from the six, a seventh accused was also arrested later in the evening. Four of these Maoists hail from Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh while the other two hail from the western part of the state. They already had weapons like AK-47 in their possession in Bihar and were trying to bring it to the NCR region. Two of the accused are experts in making bombs. Some weapons and cartridges were also recovered from their possession,” said Aseem Arun, inspector general (UP ATS).

Those arrested include Pawan alias Bhai Ji from Madhubani, Ranjeet Paswan from Chandoli in UP, Sachin Kumar from Dankaur (Greater Noida), Krishna Kumar from Sasaram in Bihar, Suraj from Bulandshahr and Ashish Saraswat who hails from Aligarh.