Maharashtra ATS: Nine detained over suspected terror links

Ahead of the Republic day, the Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) in a discreet operation has detained nine youths —four from Mumbra and five from Aurangabad — on Tuesday morning. The ATS is questioning them to verify if they have suspected links with any radical outfit and if they were planning some criminal activity in the state.

"Based on reliable information nine youths have been brought for questioning from Aurangabad and Mumbra in Thane district. Enquiries are in progress and no arrest has been made so far," confirmed an ATS officer, refusing to divulge any further details.

According to the police sources, Mazhar Shaikh, Mohsin Khan and Fahad Shah and another person from Mumbra, were on their way to Aurangabad to attend a seminar organised by a Kerala based organisation. The said youths were already on the ATS radar after the agency was tipped off by the central intelligence establishment.

After their detention, the police learned about names of five others, who were based in Aurangabad, later they too were detained.

Police sources said on request of confidentiality, "While scanning the social media accounts of one of the detained youths from Mumbra we have found objectionable posts. The mobile phones and laptops of the detained youths are being analysed."

ON ATS RADAR

• Of the nine detained by ATS, four were from Mumbra, while remaining five were from Aurangabad
   
• They were on ATS radar after it was tipped off by central intelligence for suspicious activities