ATS arrests two with suspected links to IM

Maharashtra anti-terrorism squad (ATS) sleuths on Monday arrested two suspected terrorists believed to have links with outlawed terrorist outfit Indian Mujahideen.

An ATS constable was injured, while an accomplice of the arrested duo was killed in the gun battle. The trio has several criminal cases against it in Madhya Pradesh (MP) and was planning to set up base in Maharashtra, officers said.
The arrested have been identified as Mohammad Abrar Babu Khan alias Abrar Shaikh alias Munna, 32, and Mohammad Shakir, 32. Their slain accomplice has been identified as Khaleel Qureshi, 20. All three hail from MP.

The ATS’s Aurangabad unit got information that the three would arrive at the Himayat Baug area. DCP Navin Reddy and inspector Shiva Thakre laid a trap. “Seeing the police they opened fire. The police fired in retaliation. Constable Shaikh Arif Shaikh Ismail sustained a bullet injury on his left shoulder and Qureshi was killed. Shakir was shot in both legs and is in hospital,” said ATS chief Rakesh Maria.

“Qureshi had two 7.65mm pistols and 11 live rounds, Abrar had one 7.65mm pistol and four live rounds, while Shakir had a 7.65mm pistol and four live rounds.”