ISIS module probe: Two arrested, LOCs issued against 3 accused living abroad

Lucknow: Stepping up action in the probe into a recently busted ISIS-linked module, the Uttar Pradesh anti-terrorism squad (ATS) has got lookout circulars (LOCs) issued against three key accused — Aqib, Maijul and Azad — to ensure their arrest upon arrival in India.

While Maijul is currently based in South Africa, Aqib and Azad are reportedly in Saudi Arabia. Two accused, Owaid Malik and Jalal Haider alias Sameer Jafri, were arrested by Bijnor police on Friday.

The action follows a viral social media video that prompted a joint crackdown by the ATS and the district police. An FIR was lodged at Nagal police station after the video showed a man purportedly brandishing firearms and circulating provocative content online.

Police said the video was uploaded from a social media profile operated by Maijul and featured Aqib displaying weapons. Maijul, Aqib, Azad and Owaid were identified as accused.

UP ATS, on April 3, busted a suspected terror module allegedly operating under the directions of Pakistani handlers, arresting four people — Saqib alias 'Devil', Arbaab, 20, from Meerut, Vikas Gehlawat alias Raunak, 27, and Lokesh alias Papla Pandit alias Sanju, 19, both from Gautam Budh Nagar, for planning arson on railway infrastructure and conducting reconnaissance of key installations and public assets across multiple cities.

Additional director general (law and order) Amitabh Yash on Friday said that crucial leads emerged after the arrest of Owaid Malik.

“During interrogation, he revealed that around three years ago he travelled to Gujarat in search of employment, where he met Jalal Haider alias Sameer Jafri. Through him, he was introduced to Maijul and Hakim, who are working as drivers in Saudi Arabia,” Yash said.

Based on Malik’s disclosures, police arrested Jalal Haider alias Sameer Jafri. Investigators said both the arrested accused confessed to facilitating connections between people and Aqib via social media, encouraging them to follow him and propagate his ideology, Yash said.

He said that Aqib used Instagram Live sessions to spread radical and inflammatory content. He allegedly incited youths to engage in violent acts and threatened people who opposed him.

Police sources revealed that during live broadcasts, Aqib allegedly displayed sophisticated weapons, including AK-47 rifles and grenades, to influence viewers. Investigators believe he was attempting to build an organised network in India, recruit youths and incite them to commit criminal and anti-national activities.

The probe revealed that after the arrest of Aqib’s associates in Meerut, Azad allegedly advised Malik to flee to Nepal to evade arrest. Police said electronic evidence supporting this claim has been recovered.