Gorakhnath Temple Attack: Accused Follows ISIS Ideology, Wanted To Commit Big Attack, UP Police Say

The Uttar Police said that he wanted to "commit a big act" and was in touch with the fighters and sympathisers of the proscribed terror outfit using social media.

Prashant Kumar, Additional director general of police (Law and Order), Uttar Pradesh Police

Source : Twitter/Uppolice

New Delhi: The Uttar Police has informed that the IIT graduate who attacked on-duty personnel at the Gorakhnath Temple by Ahmad Murtaza Abbasi earlier this month was following the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) ideology.

According to Prashant Kumar, Additional director general of police (Law and Order), Uttar Pradesh Police, he wanted to "commit a big attack" and was in touch with the fighters and sympathisers of the proscribed terror outfit.

श्री गोरक्षनाथ मंदिर की सुरक्षा में तैनात पुलिसकर्मियों पर हमले के अभियुक्त मुर्तजा से UP ATS द्वारा की गई पूछताछ में आतंकी संगठन ISIS के एक्टिविस्ट से सम्पर्क में होने, ISIS की शपथ लेने व ISIS के समर्थकों को आर्थिक सहायता किए जाने के संबंध में ADG L&O UP @PrashantK_IPS90 की बाइट pic.twitter.com/nM6NkxWeIp

— UP POLICE (@Uppolice) April 30, 2022

Kumar while giving information about the investigation by UP Anti-Terror Squad (UP ATS) in connection with the Gorakhnath Temple case where accused Ahmad Murtaza Abbasi on April 3 forcibly tried to enter the temple premises and attacked the on-duty police personnel with a sharp weapon. Kumar informed that the accused had the intention to carry out a big operation after snatching the weapon.

"He conducted a lone wolf fatal attack at the southern gate of Gorakhnath temple and attempted to snatch the rifle of security officials on duty. His intention was to conduct a big operation after snatching the weapon," he said according to PTI.

Abbasi had sworn allegiance to terror organisation Ansar-ul-Tauheed in 2013 which merged with the ISIS in 2014, they said, adding he took oath for the ISIS in 2020.

The accused through various social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, etc was in contact with ISIS Fighters and ISIS sympathisers. The ATS conducted data analysis of many of his e-devices, his various social media accounts like Gmail, Twitter, Facebook and E-wallets. 

"The accused while following the terror ideology of the ISIS had attacked in a 'lone wolf attack' style at the police personnel posted at the south gate of Gorakhnath temple. He had also tried to snatch the rifle of the security personnel posted there," the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad said in a statement.

"The accused had also established contact with ISIS Propaganda Activist Mehdi Masrur Biswas, who was arrested in 2014 by the Bangalore Police. He (Murtaza) was completely influenced by the radical preachers of various terrorist organisations, and also by the jihadi literature, audio/video, which encouraged terror ideology of the ISIS," the statement said.

Kumar said according to PTI, "The accused, via his bank accounts, sent around 8.5 lakh Indian Rupees to support ISIS terror activities via organisations related to ISIS supporters in different countries in Europe and America. He sent various arms - AK47, M4 carbine and other missile technology, via the internet.”

On April 3, Abbasi, an IIT graduate, tried to forcibly enter the Gorakhnath temple premises on April 3 and attacked security personnel with a sickle, injuring two Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) constables, police had said after the incident. He was soon overpowered by other security staff and arrested.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is the head priest of the Gorakhnath temple and frequently visits and stays there.

The stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) has been invoked against the accused. The UAPA allows investigating agencies to get a longer remand of the accused and an extended duration to file a charge sheet.