Pune Police Arrest Two Terrorists Of ISIS-Inspired Terror Group ‘Sufa’, Both Wanted By NIA
Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 19th July 2023: In a significant breakthrough, the Pune police, led by the diligent efforts of Constable Pradeep Chavan and Constable Amol Nazan of the Kothrud police station patrolling team, apprehended two wanted terrorists associated with a notorious organization.
The incident occurred in the early morning hours of July 18, 2023, at approximately 2:45 am.
Pune Police Commissioner Retesh Kumaarr said, “Initially, the officers stopped three individuals who were trying to steal bike. However, when the suspects were being taken for a house search, they made a desperate attempt to escape. Swift and efficient action by the police team resulted in the capture of two of the fleeing individuals, but one managed to evade capture.
During the subsequent house search, law enforcement officials discovered significant evidence. Among the items seized were a live round, four mobile phones, and a laptop. These findings indicate the potential involvement of the arrested individuals in more serious criminal activities.
Further investigation into the matter revealed the identities of the apprehended suspects as Imran Khan and Md. Yunus Saki, both residents of Ratlam district in Madhya Pradesh. It has come to light that both individuals were wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which had placed a reward of 5 lakhs on their arrest.”
“During interrogation, the two individuals said that they are residing here (Pune) for the last 16-17 months. We are verifying their claims. Other agencies are also investigating”, the city police chief added.
According to NIA, they are members of an ISIS-inspired terror group, ‘Sufa’ and wanted in connection with a conspiracy to perpetrate acts of terror in Rajasthan last year.
On Monday, NIA attached a Poultry Farm in Madhya Pradesh, which was used by the group in connection with a conspiracy to perpetrate acts of terror in Rajasthan. The property attached by NIA under UA (PA) Act 1967 is located in village Julwaniya, Viryakhedi Road,Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh. It was owned by accused Imran Khan and was used by ‘Sufa’ members for radicalizing new cadres and training them in making IEDs.
The case was initially registered as FIR no. 150/2022 dated 30.04.2022 at Nimbaheda police station in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, and later re-registered by NIA on 20.04.2022. Rajasthan police had caught some accused in a car with explosives that they were to plant at a bridge near Jaipur.
NIA had filed a Chargesheet against Imran Khan and 10 other accused persons on 22nd September 2022.It had recovered explosives and components used in fabrication of IEDs etc from the possession of the accused persons. The Agency had earlier registered a case against ‘Sufa’, a newly formed local terror group, in April 2022,in connection with ‘Sufa’s criminal conspiracy to plan and carry out terrorist acts in Rajasthan.
NIA investigations have revealed that ‘Sufa’ was deeply inspired by the activities of ISIS and was inclined toward the Jihadi ideology. Members of ‘Sufa’ had motivated other youth of the area also to join this group for carrying out terror acts.
