ATS To Interrogate Atiq Ahmed, His Brother Ashraf In Prayagraj Over Links With Pakistan's ISI, LeT

The ATS team has reached Prayagraj for questioning Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf about their alleged links with the Pakistani spy agency ISI and terror outfit LeT.

Gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf will be interrogated by the Anti-Terrorism squad of Uttar Pradesh police on Friday over a terror angle that surfaced in a probe by the state force. Earlier, the Uttar Pradesh Police, in its charge sheet against Atiq Ahmed, said that the gangster-turned-politician had connections with Pakistani terrorist organisations. The UP Police also said that Atiq Ahmed had confessed to having been in regular touch with the Pakistani spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

Atiq Ahmed reportedly admitted to links with terror organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba.

The ATS team reached Prayagraj for questioning Atiq and Ashraf about their alleged links with the ISI and LeT.

In his recorded statement, Atiq Ahmed is quoted by the police as saying: “...I have no dearth of weapons because I have direct connections with Pakistan’s ISI and terror org Lashkar-e-Taiba. Weapons from Pakistan are dropped on Punjab border with the help of drones and local connection collects them. Terrorists in JandK get weapons from this consignment. If you take me with you, I can help you recover that money and arms and ammunition used in the incident.”

The UP Police submitted the charge sheet to the Prayagraj chief judicial magistrate on Thursday.

Umesh Pal Murder: Atiq Ahmed, Brother Sent To 14-Day Judicial Custody, 5-Day Police Remand

A Prayagraj court on Thursday sent former Samajwadi Party MP Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf to 14-day judicial custody and also allowed five-day police remand in connection with the Umesh Pal murder case.

According to news agency PTI, the court allowed five-day police remand of the duo which will remain effective till evening of April 17. 

Ahmed and Ashraf alias Khalid Azim will be kept in judicial custody till April 26, advocate Vikram Singh, the counsel for Umesh Pal’s wife Jaya, said.

“Both Atiq Ahmed and Ashraf will be sent back to Sabarmati prison and Bareilly jail, where they are currently lodged, on the completion of police remand to complete the remaining duration of judicial custody,” Singh said, as quoted by PTI.