The Mumbai Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested two suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) members in Thane district. They were here allegedly to recruit members for carrying out terrorist activities targeting oil installations in Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Gujarat.
“In addition, they had been asked to provide details about military installations in Mumbai, Pune and Aurangabad. We have booked them under relevant Sections of the Unlawful Activities [Prevention] Act [UAPA],” ATS chief Rakesh Maria told journalists here on Monday.
The accused have been booked under Sections 15, 16, 18, 18B and 20 of the UAPA, for being members of a terrorist group, conspiring for terrorist act and recruiting members for terrorist activities.
The arrested men have been identified as Mohammad Shareef Makkhandeen Thakkar (33) and Mohammad Isaac Mohammad Rashid Kumlakh (29). Both drive oil tankers and hail from Gakhrot in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir.
“They both turned to terrorism after Isaac's cousin, a terrorist, was killed in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir around two-three years ago. His name was Ayub Khan and he was Shareef's classmate,” Mr. Maria said.
“They both [Shareef and Isaac] were acting as recruiting agents and stayed at Talasari, Silvassa and Vapi. They wanted to recruit oil tanker drivers who were well-versed with the roads and oil installations in Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Gujarat,” he said. Mr. Maria declined to comment on the intention behind such specifications. “We are investigating the matter.”
He also said the accused had been asked to give details about the military installations in Mumbai, Pune and Aurangabad.
Mr. Maria said Shareef had done a reconnaissance of the Mumbai Central railway station around two months ago.
Both Shareef and Isaac work at Talasari in Thane district. The police have recovered two 7.65 Tokarev Star-made pistols and some live rounds. “These are highly-sophisticated pistols,” Mr. Maria said.
He said the accused were set to go across the border for training. “They were in touch with their handlers from Jammu and Kashmir. We nabbed them when they were on the verge of going for the training.” Both men were arrested on November 15 and booked under UAPA on November 21. “They have been remanded to police custody till December 2.”
