The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad foiled a terror attack plan in the state on Independence Day (August 15), the officials said on Sunday.
After the interrogation of Ahmed Raza, a suspected terrorist associated with Hizbul Mujahideen, who was arrested on 3 August, it was revealed that he was planning to conduct a terror attack on the national festival.
ATS officials recovered a US-made pistol and cartridges from the spot told by the Raza. He was in contact with many terrorists sitting in Pakistan, said officials.
Raza, a resident of Moradabad's Guldiya Police Station, had told the ATS during interrogation that he had bought a pistol for the terrorist incident, which was kept hidden near the village in Moradabad. Acting upon the information, the ATS team recovered the weapon on Friday. 1 pistol with a 32-bore magazine and 6 live cartridges have been recovered.
Raza was inspired by Hizbul Mujahideen's poster boys Burhan Wani and Zakir Musa and considered them as his role models. One Firdous called Raza to Kashmir and gave him training in the hills of Anantnag. Also it was revealed from WhatsApp, Facebook messenger chats that he was in contact with Pakistani and Afghan terrorists.
