A day after arresting one of the key members of a Madhya Pradesh-based gang that funded terrorist activities, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad on Tuesday arrested two more senior members of the same gang.
The top leadership of the gang is also said to have links with the banned outfit Simi, as well as terrorist group Indian Mujahideen.
According to ATS officials, the arrests were made in the Buldhana district in Maharashtra on Tuesday morning, where an ATS team, laid a trap and arrested Akeel Khilji and Mohammed Jaffar. The ATS has recovered a 7.65mm pistol, five live rounds, details of two bank accounts in Madhya Pradesh and a pen drive, which is currently being analysed.
“Khilji is a senior member of the gang, ranking equal to Mohammed Abrar Babu Khan, who was arrested on Monday. After the gang leader Abu Faisal was arrested last year, the gang was being headed by Abrar and Khilji. Khilji is also the Simi head of Madhya Pradesh,” said a senior ATS official, adding, “Jaffar is the father of Mohammed Shaakir, who was also arrested in Aurgangabad along with Abrar.”
According to the ATS officer, members of Faisal’s gang moved to Maharashtra after his arrest as the Madhya Pradesh police had launched a state-wide hunt for the remaining members. Abrar, Khilji and their accomplices then came to Maharashtra, where they were planning to commit a series of dacoities similar to those in Madhya Pradesh.
The gang would divert the money earned in these raids for terrorist activities, the officer said.