LUCKNOW, Sept. 14 -- The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to set up an anti-terrorist squad (ATS) field unit in Sambhal, confirmed a senior UP ATS official on Saturday. The move follows a confidential report from Sambhal police to the state government, citing the involvement of more than 20 individuals in terrorist activities. The ATS field unit functions as a local branch of the specialised police unit tasked with investigating and countering terrorism. Although the ATS is headquartered in Lucknow, field units are established in different districts and strategic locations to broaden the squad's operational reach across the state. The official stated the report contained evidence of local residents' links to terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda, Hizbul Mujahideen, IS, and the Students Islamic Movement of India over the past three decades. The Sambhal police report detailed instances of terrorist activities and highlighted local involvement. Investigations further revealed that several individuals from Sambhal had engaged in such activities. He added that ATS inspector general (IG) of Police, Prem Kumar Gautam, has already sent a letter to Sambhal superintendent of police (SP), Krishna Kumar Bishnoi stating that an ATS field unit is proposed to be established in Sambhal. Following this, Sambhal police have made preparations to open the ATS office at the Satyavrat police chowki, situated in front of Jama Masjid. Notably, Sambhal has a history of terrorist activities. Maulana Asim Umar, alias Shannu, a resident of the Dipasarai area of Sambhal was a chief of Al-Qaeda before being killed in a US drone strike in Afghanistan. In addition, several individuals associated with Hizbul Mujahideen and ISIS have also been arrested. "In November 2023, the ATS arrested Ahmad Raza, alias Shah Rukh, a resident of Moradabad teaching at a madrasa, for his alleged links with Hizbul Mujahideen. Earlier, in 2015, Delhi Police's Special Cell arrested Mohammad Asif, a resident of Dipsarai, who was allegedly the India chief of Al-Qaeda," another ATS official said....