IS module ‘made failed bid’ to target PM’s rally

New Delhi, March 30

The IS-inspired terror module, allegedly involved in the Ujjain train blast, had made a failed bid to carry out an explosion at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally in Lucknow on Dasehra last year, according to National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe reports.

According to the reports of interrogation of Mohammed Danish and Atif Muzzafar accessed today, the duo, along with other friends owing allegiance to the banned IS, had planned to plant a bomb at Ramlila Ground in Lucknow where the PM was scheduled to address a rally on October 17 last. The duo is currently in the custody of the NIA.

The group, says Danish in his statement, was desperate to carry out blasts to “test the level of radicalisation” and in the process had made several unsuccessful attempts at planting bombs at various places. He alleged Atif Muzzafar, who was the self-designated ‘Amir’ (chief) of the module, assembled a bomb. Atif is among the six persons arrested by the NIA after the March 7 blast at a rail track in Ujjain.

The accused claimed Atif had procured two packets of splinters (iron ball bearings) from a cycle shop and carried out a reconnaissance of the venue with another accused identified as Asif. Atif corroborated the version of Danish and said they went to buy cracker material from Moolganj in old Kanpur. Atif said he gave the bomb to GM Khan, retired IAF personnel who took it to Lucknow.

On October 11, he and others went to Lucknow and called Khan so that the bomb could be placed in or around the venue. Before Dasehra night, according to Danish, Atif kept the bomb in garbage bin near the rally venue. The module was waiting for news of a blast which never came. — PTI