Mumbai: The terrorist training camp in Pakistan where Jogeshwari resident Faisal Mirza allegedly trained is suspected to be operating under the United Jihad Council (UJC), sources said on Tuesday. The UJC, they added, is an Pakistan-based umbrella organisation coordinating activities of Islamic terrorist organisations.
Mr. Mirza (32) was arrested on May 11 in a joint operation by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the Kolkata Police ATS, with inputs from intelligence agencies, sources said.
The probe agency has alleged that he travelled to Pakistan for two weeks of training before returning to Mumbai, and was told to await further orders by his handlers.
The ATS has also alleged that Mr. Mirza was planning to target crowded places and prominent personalities in the city.
An ATS officer said, “Intelligence received so far indicates the training camp that Mr. Mirza attended operates under the UJC. The council is linked to terrorist organisations like the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Toiba, and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and each outfit has a separate role.”
Anti-India focus
Formed in 1994 by Hizb-ul-Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin, the UJC was intended to streamline anti-Indian activities in Pakistan. Over the years, officers said, it appears to have widened its focus. Sources said training recruits from India has been assigned to the LeT, and Mr. Mirza was trained by the outfit as well. They added that the recruits are brought to Pakistan with ISI support, which arranges for their travel and expenses.
The ATS officer said the council has separate wings for recruitment and indoctrination, while other branches select targets for terrorist strikes in India and spreading unrest in Kashmir.
There have also been inputs that member of the Dawood Ibrahim gang are linked to the UJC due to their association with the ISI. “Mr. Mirza’s handler and distant cousin, Farooq Devadiwala, is suspected to be connected to the UJC. We’re working on this angle.”
During his interrogation, Mr. Mirza has allegedly told officers that he was to be assigned locations in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh as targets, and was told to be prepared for a suicide attack if needed.
