For the purpose of carrying out the revolution, they needed money. The famous Kakori train robbery was conceived with the sole objective of getting money for carrying out their revolutionary activities.
Ashfaq opposed the idea, saying that it would be a hasty step and will expose the revolutionaries to direct attack by a strong government which will use its entire machinery to crush their revolutionary activities. However the revolutionaries decided to go ahead with the plan. Like a disciplined soldier Ashfaq vowed to join.
On August 9, 1925, the train from Shahjahanpur to Lucknow was approaching Kakori. Someone pulled the chain and the train stopped abruptly. Ashfaq got off the second class compartment with his friends Sachindra Bakshi and Rajendra Lahiri.
The group consisting of ten young revolutionaries robbed the money and fled.
