Police arrest 3 with links to Al Qaeda

Kolkata: In a major crackdown on the Al Qaeda network in the state, the special task force (STF) of the Kolkata police have arrested three persons including two members of Bangladesh-based banned terror outfit — Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT).

The accused are Shamshad Miyan (26) alias Tanveer alias Tushar Biswas, Riyazul Islam (25) alias Riyaz alias Sumon and Monotosh Dey (46) alias Monada. Shamshad, a young techie, and Riyazul, allegedly being ABT members, are Bangladeshi nationals.

While Shamshad is from Katashola at Sunamgunj in Sylhet, Riyazul is from Kasimnagar at Paikgachha in Khulna. Monotosh is a resident of Kolapota at Basirhat in North 24 Parganas.

He is suspected to be an arms dealer.

Deputy commissioner of police (STF) Murlidhar Sharma said on Tuesday evening, “The trio were caught from the Kolkata railway station at around 2.30 pm. Several documents, in Bangla and English, relating to terror activities about how to make explosive devices and how to do rescue were seized from them apart from a countrymade pistol, pen drives and a laptop.”

Some of the seized documents revealed the mention of names of Esplanade bus stand and Eden Gardens. Mr Sharma added, “Neither passport nor visa was found with any of the two Bangladeshi nationals.

One of them is placed at a senior level position in the hierarchy of ABT which is an affiliate of Al Qaeda in the Indian subcontinent. ABT is a banned terrorist organisation in Bangladesh.

A fake Aadhar Card was also seized from Shamshad who obtained it in the name of Tushar Biswas. The STF had received an input from the Intelligence Bureau by the end of Durga Puja and recently concluded U-17 World Cup about the movements of the accused.” Mr Sharma elabor-ated, “Subsequently a hunt was launched to trace them. In the last 20-25 days raids were conducted in and around Kolkata. Surveillance was carried out at several public places, hotels, railway stations and restaurants.

The identities and location of the accused were confirmed three days ago. Preliminary investigation revealed that the two Bangladeshi nationals were staying here for the past one and half years after entering India illegally. We are yet to verify where they had visited in the country during this period,” he said.

Mr Sharma said, “Interrogating the ABT members we came to know that they had come to procure arms and explosives. They had even visited some chemical shops in the city to look for chemicals used in explosives. They did not have any permanent place to stay. Railway stations, Yatri Niwas were the addresses they had frequented for stay.”

The trio will be produced at the court on Wednesday. The STF will seek their remand for further interrogation.