The Uttar Pradesh ATS investigation into the Gorakhnath temple attack of April 3 has revealed many shocking details.
The ATS (Anti-Terror Squad) investigation has revealed that Ahmed Murtaza Abbasi had sent lakhs of rupees to the ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq. His IDFC First Bank, ICICI Bank, Federal Bank and other bank accounts are under investigation now.
The investigation has also revealed that hardline Islamist Yemeni-American preacher Imam Anwar al-Halaki had mentored Abbasi. The investigative agencies have found multiple videos of banned Islamic preacher Zakir Naik on Abbasi’s laptop.
On March 31, the central intelligence agencies had shared a list of 16 individuals who were planning an attack on the Gorakhnath temple. Following the clue, two UP ATS cops had visited Abbasi’s home in Gorakhpur on April 2. But he was not home.
The investigation has revealed that just before the attack, Abbasi was in Nepal and, while returning from there, he had bought a dagger in Maharajganj.
The agencies now suspect that Abbasi was planning a bigger attack, but advanced the plan after the ATS visited his home on April 2.
Abbasi’s father, Munir Ahmed Abbasi, defended his son’s action by claiming his son was mentally unstable and had been on medication for depression.
“He is not mentally stable. Since childhood, he has been suffering from depression. He also received medical treatment. Due to some developments, he believed that police were after him. He had no planning and did this due to his current mental state,” ANI quoted Abbasi’s father, Munir.
Abbasi’s laptop and mobile phone had been sent for forensic examination. Initial investigation revealed that Abbasi was developing an app for strengthening the sleeper cells of terrorist organisations. He is an engineer from IIT Powai, Mumbai.
The UP ATS has involved Maharashtra ATS, and Gujarat ATS as Abbasi’s connections are spread over these states.
Defending Abbasi’s actions on Wednesday (April 6), former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav said Abbasi was suffering from mental health issues.
“His father said he has a psychiatric problem, dealing with bipolar issue, I feel we need to pay heed to that as well (for probe)…BJP is a party that exaggerates,” ANI quoted Shri Yadav.
The UP ATS has picked up 13 people from different districts of the state, including Kanpur, Noida, Mau and Saharanpur (Deoband), for investigation in the case.
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