former-indian-army-man-arrested-in-delhi-for-alleged-involvement-in-lashkar-e-toiba-module

A former Indian Army man, retired on January 31 last year, was apprehended by the Delhi Police for his alleged involvement as an active member of a Lashkar-e-Toiba module operating in Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir.

 

 

The accused, identified as Riyaz Ahmad Rather, a resident of district Kupwara, stands accused of conspiring with fellow members and receiving arms and ammunition from across the Line of Control (LOC) under the guidance of terrorist handlers based in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

 

 

“Riyaz was arrested by the staff of New Delhi Railway Station police station on February 4 based on specific information received from investigation agencies in Jammu & Kashmir,” said a senior police officer.

 

 

The officer said, "Riyaz Ahmad was wanted in the terror module case in which five persons were arrested and incriminating material including five AK rifles (short), five AK magazines, 16 short AK rounds were recovered.”

 

 

The arms and ammunition were allegedly sent by PoK-based LeT terrorist handlers, namely Manzoor Ahmad Sheikh a.k.a Shakoor, and Qazi Mohammad Khushal, who were operating from across the border.

 

 

"It was also informed that the alleged Riyaz Ahmad is absconding and would shortly reach New Delhi Railway Station in the wee hours," added the officer.

 

 

Upon reaching the predetermined station in New Delhi, the police team swung into action and waited for Riyaz’s arrival.

 

 

The police team tasked to nab him identified Riyaz in the crowd and apprehended him when he was trying to flee from Exit Gate no 1 of New Delhi Railway Station in the early morning hours.

 

 

"He was subjected to intensive interrogation, and it was revealed that he along with his friend Altaf had boarded Mahakaushal Express from Jabalpur and reached Hazarat Nizamuddin railway station at about 3:00 p.m. on February 3.

 

 

From there they took an auto-rickshaw and reached NDRS. Riyaz was about to go to some other hideout," said the investigating officer.

 

 

Riyaz Ahmad is suspected of having received a consignment of arms and ammunition from Khursheed and Ghulam, both of whom are already under police custody in Jammu and Kashmir.

 

 

Meanwhile, both Riyaz and his friend Altaf served in the Indian army, “they retired from the army on January 31, 2023. So far one mobile phone and SIM card have been recovered from Riyaz’s possession,” added the officer.