From IS Khorasan, UP police has changed track to IS inspired module, no proof of the organisation's direct involvement found so far
The low-intensity train blast in Ujjain on Tuesday and the subsequent encounter in Lucknow is being termed as the handiwork of a local terror module inspired by the Islamic State (IS) ideology. Earlier, the Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh Police, which conducted the operations went on record to claim that the attack was carried by a Kanpur-Lucknow module of IS Khorasan. However, by Wednesday afternoon, the narrative was changed with the UP police saying the suspects were self-radicalized on internet.
Material recoveries from the arrested and a slain suspect allegedly include the trademark black flag of the terror organisation, literature and videos. The UP police appeared reluctant to point to any direct involvement of the transnational terror group.
The MHA has conveyed its unhappiness to the UP Police for jumping the gun on the involvement of IS and giving a running commentary on the encounter. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to make a statement in Parliament in the coming days on the blast and encounter, sources said.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the probe in both the cases.
Following a 12-hour operation, Kanpur resident Mohammad Saifullah alias Ali, was killed by the UP Anti-Terrorist Squad late on Tuesday night in Haji colony located in the old parts of Lucknow city. Police officials said Ali refused to surrender and continued firing. He was later shot dead. When police broke open the room door where Ali had taken refuge in the rented house, they found the black flag of IS perched on the wall, eight country-made pistols, four knives, 630 live cartridges, Rs 1.5 lakh in cash and six gold coins, bomb-making equipment, timers and maps of Indian Railways, among other material.
Saifullah had rented the house from one Badshah Khan and had been allegedly living there with three others – Danish Akhtar, Syed Meer Hussain and Atish Muzaffar – for the past few weeks. Additional Diretor General (law and order), UP Police, Daljeet Chaudhary said the three had planted the IED in Bhopal-Ujjain passenger train between Jabri and Kalapipal stations that injured 10 passengers.
Acting on a tip-off from Central agencies, the MP Police arrested the three suspects who were on the run from Piparia in Hoshangabad district. Mohammad Faisal Khan and Fakhre Alam were later arresed from Kanpur and Etawah by UP Police. All the suspects are believed to be motivated by IS ideology.
``We are not sure if the suspects are actual members of IS, that is subject to investigation. But their chat messages on phone reveal they were in contact with a handler, outside of the country, who they (suspects) believe is from IS,’’ MP's DIG (Intelligence) Makrand Deouskar told DNA.
Police officials said seizure of material such as the IS flag, literature and interrogation of suspects point out they were inspired by IS ideology and had planned an attack to further their cause. “It is early to conclude whether they (suspects) acted suo-moto or were directed by any terror group. But they definitely appear to have been self-radicalised and indoctrinated,’’ said Rahul Srivastava, Additional SP, UP Police.
ADG Chaudhary reiterated there was no evidence to link the blasts and suspects with the IS. “Many youth are self-radicalised by IS through social media. We do not have any evidence to link the arrested suspects with IS, but they appear to be influenced by its ideology and have acted accordingly. They have learnt bomb-making technique from the web,’’ he said in a press conference.
It is not clear on what basis did the UP police had made the claim that Saifullah was a member of ISKP and the module had directed the train blast.
The IS group, which is ever eager to expand its footprint and claim attacks in new regions, has not released any statement on the attack in India. The group usually claims responsibility for the terror acts conducted by its members or those inspired by the ideology through its media channels. The group follows a stringent process relying upon a recorded or a documented pledge of allegiance (bayah) by those operators who are conducting terror operations in its name, before claiming responsibility for the same.
What happened ?
Tuesday: Low intensity IED blast in Bhopal-Ujjain passenger train
Three suspects arrested from Piparia, MP
Two suspects arrested from Kanpur, one from Etawah
One suspect, Saifullah holed up in Lucknow.
Saifullah killed in encounter
UP police claims all were connected with IS Khorasan province
Wednesday:
MHA conveys unhappiness to UP police
UP police clarifies suspects were IS inspired
NIA takes over investigation
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