Author: Express News Service
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: February 2, 2006
URL: http://www.indianexpress.com/archive_full_story.php?content_id=87065
Introduction: Target 3 alleged terrorists
held; cops allege plan to carry out blasts at public places
With the arrest of three alleged Lashkar-e-Toiba
(LeT) members, the Kolkata Police today claimed to have foiled a major plan
to carry out explosions at public places.
Sixteen detonators, a laptop and literature
of banned terrorist organisation were seized from the trio, Tariq Akhtar (33),
Noor Muhhamed (28) and Abdulla Zubeid (30). The arrest could be just the tip
of iceberg as the trio may be part of a terrorist group operating in the eastern
region, the police added.
''The trio, explosive experts and planning
to blow up a crowded place, may be linked to the Delhi blasts or the Bangalore
attack. Other members are spread throughout the eastern region,'' confirmed
Kolkata Police Commissioner Prasun Mukherjee.
Gang leader Akhtar was picked up at Madan
Street around 8 pm yesterday. Incriminating documents including Lashkar pamphlets
were seized from him. He reportedly admitted his identity and named a few
others. A team of sleuths was then sent to Jamshedpur and Benaras. Subsequently,
Muhammed was arrested in Jamshedpur late last night and more Lashkar literature,
16 detonators and a laptop containing details of bomb-making were seized from
him. The trail then led to Beneras, where Zubeid was arrested.
According to the police, Akhtar, originally
resident of Jamshedpur, went to Pakistan five years back. He reportedly was
acquainted with LeT during his three-year stay in Qatar. He returned to Jamshedpur
in 2003. He is also alleged to have been a frequent visitor to Bangladesh
where he reportedly received training in subversive activities and handling
explosives.
''Adept in computers, Akhtar seems to be the
leader of the ring. He is an expert in making explosives. He came to the city
three days back. He was also in charge of recruitment of more youths for the
group. Apart from ideological indoctrination and training in various weapons,
he was also trained in explosives including land mines,'' added the Police
Commissioner. The police have launched a search for other members of the gang
as well as other such groups operating in the city.
