‘Nazim’s radicalisation began in Saudi Arabia’

Mumbai: Nazim Ahmed, the alleged leader of the terrorist module busted by the Uttar Pradesh Anti Terrorism Squad earlier this month, spent around four years in the Middle East and his radicalisation is suspected to have occurred during this time, sources in the Maharashtra ATS said on Thursday.

Ahmed was picked up from Mumbra in the early hours of April 21 in a joint operation by several anti-terror and law enforcement agencies.

“Investigations have revealed that Ahmed worked as a plumber in Dammam in Saudi Arabia for two years before coming back to India in 2014. In 2015, he went to Saudi Arabia again and secured employment in Mecca. During these stints in Saudi Arabia, he started viewing videos about

jihad (holy war) and similar topics and participated in discussion forums about these subjects,” said a Maharastra ATS officer.

Nazim was also arrested by the Saudi police after his visa expired. “After spending 18 days in jail, he was deported to India in 2016,” the officer said.