Anti-Terrorism Squad cop in Pune receives threat from ISIS

The Mumbai police have received an anonymous letter wherein the sender claimed to be a representative of the banned radical outfit, Islamic State (IS), and threatened to kill assistant commissioner of police (ACP) Bhanupratap Barge. Barge is posted with the anti-terrorism squad (ATS) in Pune.

In December, Barge led the de-radicalisation programme for a Class XI Pune student, who got attracted to the IS ideology after watching a documentary. The girl used the Internet to get in touch with the outfit and also contacted about 200 young persons from different countries. Her interrogation revealed that she was told to come to Syria for medical education and for further initiation.

According to the police sources, the letter was posted in Mulund around 12 days ago and was received by the Mumbai police commissioner's office. The Mumbai police then intimated about the letter to their Pune counterparts.

"The four-line letter typed in English on a plain paper stated the sender was an IS representative for India and that Mumbai ATS and ACP Barge from Pune were causing problems for the outfit. The letter also mentioned about a threat to Barge and his family," said a Pune police officer. Police sources said Barge has refused to take any protection for himself and his family.

"An inquiry is being conducted and the ATS is also making inquiries in the matter. We are assessing threat perception to the officer," saod Pune police commissioner KK Pathak.