Cuttack/ New Delhi: Two suspected operatives of Al-Qaeda have been arrested in the national capital and Odisha and Delhi Police on Wednesday claimed to have busted a module of the terror group’s Indian sub-continent wing operating out of the country.
While Mohammed Asif (41), believed to be one of the founding members and the Indian head (amir) of al Qaeda in the Indian sub-continent's (AQIS) motivation, recruitment and training wing, was held from Seelampur in northeast Delhi, another operative Abdul Rahman (37) was arrested from Jagatpur area of Cuttack in Odisha, police said.
During the joint operation by Delhi police and Commissionerate Police, the 37-year-old suspect identified as Maulana Abdul Rahman was picked up from his house in early hours. He reportedly hails from Satabatia village in Paschima-kachha area in the district.
The duo have been booked under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, said Special Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Arvind Deep in Delhi.
Police recovered three mobile phones, a laptop and other “incriminating articles”, including documents of indoctrination and jihadi literature (authored by Maulana Umar) from Asif’s possession. Rahman is suspected to have international links in countries like Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Dubai. Rahman, who is married and has three children, ran a madrasa at Tangi area near Cuttack.
His brother Tahir Ali was arrested in 2001 in connection with the terrorist attack on American Center in Kolkata, police said.
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