Maharashtra ATS Arrests Suspected Lashkar Activist For Terror Funding From Pune

Hailing from Buldhana region's Khamgaon town, he was caught from Dapodi in Pune after his name cropped up in a terror funding case probed by the ATS.

Indian Anti Terror Squad (ATS) officials speak on their mobile telephones after a successful mission (Source: File photo/AFP)

New Delhi: The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Tuesday arrested a man from Pune on charges of playing a role in the recruitment of terrorists in the terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LET). The suspect, identified as Junaid, a resident of Pune, was linked to the LeT terror network through social media, the official said. He said Junaid was arrested by the ATS officers in connection with the financing of terrorist activities. The officer said the ATS would produce him in the local court later in the day. 

Hailing from Buldhana region's Khamgaon town, he was caught from Dapodi in Pune after his name cropped up in a terror funding case probed by the ATS.

To stay undetected in different social media groups and organisations, and participated in dread-related discussions there, revealed the ATS probe.

"Today, accused Junaid was produced in the special NIA court. After hearing both sides, he was remanded to police &ATS custody till June 3. The main reasons for which ATS sought custody were his terror funding, recce &his diff locations, phone calls," said Defence lawyer Yashpal Purohit.

He was a resident of Pune & was switching places... if the investigation requires, he'll be taken to J&K. The whereabouts of recces will be investigated. He has been brainwashed & is not connected to LeT in any way: Defence lawyer Yashpal Purohit pic.twitter.com/JrLnpjr7ZE

— ANI (@ANI) May 24, 2022

"He was a resident of Pune & was switching places... if the investigation requires, he'll be taken to J&K. The whereabouts of recces will be investigated. He has been brainwashed & is not connected to LeT in any way," he added.

Junaid was living with relatives in Pune and had supposedly received an amount of Rs 10,000 for his obscure recruitment activities from some terror operatives.

He is likewise associated with staying in contact with certain radicals in Pakistan, which is being examined further, and he will be produced before a designated Special Court later in the day.