LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) arrested a 19-year-old man from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, in connection with an alleged module linked to the ideology of Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), officials said on Wednesday.The accused, identified as Maqsood Ali, was arrested from Coimbatore with the assistance of the Tamil Nadu ATS.His arrest follows the detention of another accused, Mohammad Nabeel, from Azamgarh on September 12.With Maqsood’s arrest, two accused have so far been arrested in the case.According to the UP ATS, it had received intelligence that a group of individuals was allegedly using various social media platforms to form groups and plan anti-national activities.ATS said the individuals were allegedly influenced by the ideology of Al Qaeda-linked preacher Anwar al-Awlaki and were attempting to recruit young people through WhatsApp groups, with plans to provide them training to become “mujahids”, including training related to weapons and raising funds.The ATS said people from different parts of India as well as foreign individuals were allegedly connected with the online network.Following verification of the intelligence, the UP ATS registered FIR under Sections 152 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, along with Sections 18 and 38 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967.The first accused, Mohammad Nabeel, son of Mohammad Danish and a resident of Chitara Mahmoodpur village under Didarganj police station in Azamgarh, was arrested on September 12.During the investigation and questioning of Nabeel, investigators identified Maqsood Ali as another alleged member of the network, the ATS said.He was arrested in Coimbatore on September 14 with the assistance of Tamil Nadu ATS and subsequently brought to Lucknow on transit remand.He was produced before the competent court, where further legal proceedings are underway.The ATS alleged that Maqsood, along with Nabeel and others, was involved in a conspiracy to carry out violent “jihadist” activities against India.Investigators further alleged that Maqsood had come into contact with Pakistani hackers and was attempting to develop hacking tools.During questioning, according to the ATS, Maqsood said he had learned Python, Java, coding and hacking-related skills through online resources and platforms including Instagram, YouTube, Telegram and various WhatsApp groups.The agency said he had also developed a secure application called “CAPTAIN M NETWORK”, whose stated motto was “One Platform, One Motive, Unity, Plan and Action.”According to investigators, the application was used to connect Nabeel, Maqsood and other individuals.The ATS said Maqsood was operating two WhatsApp accounts and was associated with groups carrying names such as “UU Entry Gate”, “United Ummah”, “Gazwa-e-Hind”, “Team Black Hat” and “Lashkar-e-Mehndi”.According to the agency, several Pakistani numbers, including those allegedly belonging to Pakistani hackers.Investigators said discussions in the groups included plans to develop secure messaging applications and create a common platform for communication.The ATS also alleged that jihadist and extremist material was being circulated through the groups.
