Mumbai: Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Wednesday produced 8 youth in a local magistrate court in Aurangabad on Wednesday, while a minor was produced in juvenile court. The youth were arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) from eight locations in Aurangabad and Mumbra for planning a chemical attack at a forthcoming public event. They were remanded to 14-day custody.
Surprisingly, 4 suspects were arrested from different areas of Mumbra but all were produced before Aurangabad court. Questions have been raised on the move of Aurangabad unit of ATS right from day one. According to sources, the charges are strange that the arrested youths had planned to mix poisonous chemicals with food and water at an upcoming public event. Besides ATS told that the suspects were preparing chemical attacks but were arrested before they executed the plan.
The suspects include 3 siblings Mohsin Sirajuddin Shaikh, Salman Sirajuddin Shaikh and Taqi Sirajuddin Shaikh. The other suspects booked under relevant sections of the Unlawful Activities and Prevention Act (UAPA) Act are Mushahedul Islam, Mohammed Sarfaraz, Mazhar Abdur Rasheed Shaikh, Jamal Nawab, Fahad Ansari and a juvenile. Their ages are between 17 and 24 years.
Deputy Commissioner of police (DCP) ATS Mohan Kumar told that the arrested youth were in contact with banned outfit ISIS and were planning criminal activities. However, he refused to provide details.