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Two HUJI militants in police net

RDX, detonators, timer devices recovered from the duo

Lucknow: Two Harkat-ul-Jihad Al Islam (HUJI) militants, who have been supplying RDX across the country, were nabbed by Special Task Force of Uttar Pradesh Police on Thursday along with explosives, detonators and timer devices, officials said.

“Mohammad Yaqoob alias Shakir and Nasir alias Chotu are residents of Bijnore district of the State and were planning to carry out subversive activities in the capital,” state police chief G L Sharma told reporters. While Yaqoob was arrested from Charbagh area, Nasir was nabbed near a lodge in Naka area in the city on Thursday afternoon, Mr. Sharma said, adding both of them confessed to have supplied over 100 kg of RDX across the country.

Special DG Vikram Singh did not rule out the duo’s involvement in Varanasi’s Sankatmochan Mandir and recent Gorakhpur blasts.

Seven kg of RDX were recovered from the duo besides five detonator wires, three improvised watches with timer wires, batteries and remote switches. Mr. Singh said Yaqoob and Nasir received training in use of arms and planting bombs in a camp near Karachi.

On interrogation, they revealed that one Naushad alias Nagina and Babu Khan of Kolkata had sent them to Pakistan via Bangladesh by preparing fake passports and Visas, Singh said.

The police claimed Yaqoob and Nasir gave essential information on Babu, who according to them, had arranged training of over 150 youths in Pakistan. About their motive of bringing the RDX to Lucknow, the duo said they were planning to plant bombs at fairs and public places.

Mr. Singh said both of them were active in the country for nearly a year and were staying here since the past seven-eight days and also did not rule out their links in the Mumbai serial blasts. “We are expecting more seizures in the coming days as the STF has got some vital clues regarding terrorist activities,” Mr. Singh said.

Meanwhile The Uttar Pradesh Government on Thursday decided to review the previous Samajwadi Party regime’s decision to de-list independent MLA Raja Bhaiya’s father Uday Pratap Singh’s alleged dacoit gang from the active bandit groups.

The decision to de-list Singh’s gang is being reviewed, UP Home Secretary Javed Ahmed told reporters here. The newly appointed Special DGP, State Police, Vikram Singh termed the review as part of a continuous and routine process.

The move comes close on the heels of the Mayawati Government giving orders to expedite work on setting up a bird sanctuary on the sprawling Benti Pond owned by Raja Bhaiya in Pratapgarh district.

The BSP in its previous regime had slapped POTA on the father-son duo.-PTI

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