Pramesh S Jain
The Hebbagodi Police have arrested a 25-year-old security guard for allegedly joining the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and plotting retaliatory attacks against the Pakistan Army.
The accused,Asaful Mallick,a native of Naupara village in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district,was residing in Jigani and working as a security guard.
Acting on intelligence received on August 11,the Electronic City Division Police detained him in Bommasandra Industrial Area.
According to M.Narayana,IPS,DCP,Electronic City Division,interrogation revealed that Mallick allegedly developed strong resentment against the Pakistan Army over what he believed were atrocities against mosques and civilians in Pakistan.
He was also reportedly influenced by the Israel-Palestine conflict and believed that the Pakistan Army was assisting Israel while abandoning Palestinians.
Police said Mallick came into contact with an Afghan national,Imran Ahindar,through Facebook.Ahindar is allegedly an active member of the TTP.
Investigators allege that Mallick subsequently joined the outfit with the intention of carrying out revenge attacks against the Pakistan Army in India and abroad.
With Ahindar’s assistance,Mallick allegedly applied for a passport and an Afghan visa,intending to travel to Afghanistan and pursue his plans.
However,he could not travel for unspecified reasons.
Police seized his mobile phone and recovered messages and audio recordings that allegedly contain evidence of his plans and communications with the TTP-linked contact.
A case has been registered at Hebbagodi Police Station under Section 113(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
Police are continuing their investigation to identify his contacts,establish the extent of his association with the terror outfit and determine whether he had any local network or operational support.
