2 Qaeda-linked ultras held in Lucknow

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 11

The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of the Uttar Pradesh Police on Sunday busted a major terror module and arrested two al-Qaeda operatives from Lucknow’s Kakori area.

Prashant Kumar, ADG (Law and Order), UP Police, said, “The UP ATS has uncovered a big terror module with the arrest of two terrorists linked to al-Qaeda’s Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind. A cache of arms and explosive materials have also been recovered.”

It has been learnt that there was a plan for a major bomb attack in Lucknow. The Kashmir connection of the terrorists that came to the fore is also being investigated by the authorities, sources in the ATS said.

The two accused have been identified as Maseeruddin and Minhaj. The team is conducting searches at their houses, along with the house of Shahid, who used to talk to Al-Qaeda and Pakistani handler Al-ul through Telegram, according to sources.

According to reports, raids are also being conducted in western UP and a high alert has been issued in Lucknow and adjoining districts after the explosives were found at the raid site.