The Delhi Police said on Thursday that they have busted an al-Qaeda terror module. According to a report by PTI, 14 people from Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh have been detained.
"The module, as per current state of operations, was being led by one Dr Ishtiyaq of Ranchi (Jharkhand), and it was aspiring to declare 'khilafat (Caliphate)' and execute serious terrorist activities within the country," the Delhi Police said in a statement. It also said the members of the terror module were trained, including in handling weapons, at various locations.
Officials said that the operation was conducted along with the police forces of the states concerned after they received intelligence about the module.
The Delhi Police statement said six people had been detained from Bhiwadi in Rajasthan while they were undergoing training to handle weapons, and eight from Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh for questioning.
PTI reported that the detainees are being interrogated and additional detentions are anticipated. Raids are also being conducted to recover arms, ammunition and documents.
'IS Terrorist' Arrested In Delhi
The news comes just weeks after a suspected Islamic State (IS) terrorist, identified as Rizwan Ali, was arrested by the Delhi Police Special Cell. Ali was reportedly living in Daryaganj. According to PTI, a .30-bore pistol, three live cartridges and two mobile phones were seized from his possession.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had declared a reward of Rs 3 lakh for information leading to Ali's arrest. It is suspected that Ali, suspected to be linked to a Pune-based module of the terror group, was conducting reconnaissance for a possible attack on some VIPs based in Delhi-NCR, an officer said, adding that he is being interrogated.
The officer said agencies had been searching for the wanted terrorist for the last year and a half, after he fled from the custody of the Pune Police.