Detained cleric arrested under UAPA for links to Pak Taliban
Jaipur, Nov. 7 -- A cleric who was detained by the Rajasthan Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) from Sanchore on October 31 has been arrested under UAPA for his alleged involvement in terror activities of the Afghan-based terror organisation Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), officials said on Thursday.
The inspector general of the ATS, Vikas Kumar, said, "We had detained five clerics in a state-wide joint raid by ATS and IB on October 31 based on internal tip-offs regarding their alleged connection to some terror outfits. During the further probe, substantial evidence was found that one of the five clerics, Osama Omar Anwar, was involved with Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan for the last three to four years."
According to officials, Osama, a resident of Barmer, who was appointed as a cleric in a Sanchore-based Madrasa four years ago, had been in contact with top TTP commanders through internet calling.
"His job was to preach TTP's ideology through social media. He was also pressuring the other four clerics, who were also detained on October 31, to join the terror outfit. Prima facie, Osama was also involved in some terror activities of TTP in the last few years," said Kumar.
Police have confirmed that Osama, has so far, not met any of the TTP officials physically. "However, he was planning to flee to Afghanistan in the next few days via Dubai. We are interrogating him and trying to figure out the involvement of anyone else in the gang," said Kumar.
Following the development, ATS has arrested Osama under The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) on Wednesday night, officials said.
On October 31, ATS and IB, launched under the supervision of the Home Affairs Ministry. Raids were conducted in six districts including Jodhpur, Jalore, Jaisalmer, Chittorgarh, Karauli, and Jaipur.
While two clerics - Masood Anwar and Mohammed Ayuub were detained from two Madrasas in Jodhpur, Osama was detained from a Sanchore based Madrasa and two other individuals - Muhammed Junaid and Basir Sagiruddin were detained from Karauli and Jaipur respectively....
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