A joint operation by the Uttar Pradesh Police and the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has recovered six mobile phones, three knives, an international calling card, and other digital devices from the Lucknow residence of Parvez Ansari, the brother of Dr Shaheen Shahid. Dr Shahid had been arrested for her alleged involvement with the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM)-linked “white-collar” Faridabad terror module.
The raid at Ansari’s home is part of an ongoing investigation into activities connected to the Red Fort blast, which took place just hours after authorities dismantled the terror module on November 10.
Ansari, a teacher at Integral University in Lucknow, attempted to flee following Shaheen’s arrest on the night of November 10. He was, however, apprehended and is currently undergoing questioning. Investigators claim that Ansari allegedly used the phones to communicate with contacts in Jammu, while the international calling card was reportedly employed to speak with handlers based abroad.
The ATS stated that Ansari had reportedly developed a specialised system aimed at preventing signal tracing. This system was allegedly designed to evade detection, making it difficult for authorities to monitor communications conducted through the recovered devices.
During the search, officers also seized a computer containing a hidden disk. Authorities believe the disk may hold significant evidence and critical digital files pertinent to the ongoing investigation.
Forensic teams are currently examining the data stored on the disk for potential leads. Alongside the electronic devices, the ATS also recovered three large knives. Authorities are investigating whether the weapons were used in any criminal activity or intended for future use.
Soon after his detention, authorities also seized Ansari’s vehicle, registered in Saharanpur, where officials traced the activities of another terror module suspect, Adil Ahmad, who had been arrested by the J&K Police on November 7.
Officials stated that Adil, a resident of Anantnag, had rented a house in Saharanpur and had been working at Famous Hospital there for the past six months.
As part of the broader investigation into the Red Fort blast, law enforcement agencies are conducting searches across Uttar Pradesh, including in Lucknow, Saharanpur, and Lakhimpur Kheri. The security alert has been extended beyond Lucknow to cover major cities across the state, including Noida, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Ayodhya, Mathura-Vrindavan, Gorakhpur, Kanpur, Saharanpur, and Aligarh.
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