Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Saturday lauded the state police for busting an alleged radicalised terror network linked to a Pakistani handler, saying the timely action had prevented a conspiracy that could have posed a serious threat to national security.
Referring to the arrest of 35-year-old Mohammad Faraz by the Madhya Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), the Chief Minister said the police not only apprehended the suspect but also exposed the wider network and its alleged plans. “The Madhya Pradesh Police timely uncovered a conspiracy that could have posed a serious threat to the nation's security.
The police not only arrested the accused in time but also exposed his entire network and the conspiracy itself,” Yadav said during an interaction with the press on Saturday. He added that the recovery of a large quantity of alleged jihadi literature during the operation reflected the seriousness of the case and demonstrated the capability of the state police to deal with terrorism and anti-national activities.
The Chief Minister's remarks came a day after the ATS arrested Faraz, a resident of Bhopal's Qazi Camp area, for allegedly working with a network of radicalised youths under the guidance of a Pakistani handler. Investigators have alleged that he was preparing for anti-national activities and potential lone-wolf attacks while recruiting other youths through social media platforms and messaging groups.
According to ATS officials, Faraz had been in contact with a Pakistan-based handler through intermediaries for several years and was allegedly connected to multiple WhatsApp and Telegram groups involving radicalised individuals from India and abroad.
Investigators claim that members of the network were being motivated to carry out targeted attacks and were encouraged to obtain passports for terror training outside the country. Police officials have also alleged that Faraz had secured a passport and was preparing to travel abroad for activities linked to the network.
The accused was produced before a special court in Bhopal, which remanded him to police custody till June 16 for further interrogation. A case has been registered against him and another accused under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
Congratulating the police force, Mohan Yadav said the state's law enforcement agencies had recorded significant achievements in recent years. "Our government is continuously working to strengthen the police force. We are ensuring regular recruitment and filling vacant sanctioned posts so that law and order and good governance become even stronger in the state," he said.