NIA arrests two with links to alleged IS suspect

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday arrested two people with links to suspected Islamic State operative Saifullah, who was killed in a shootout with security forces in Lucknow in March this year, officials said.

The two identified as Mohammad Atif and Asif Iqbal were arrested from Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur, officials said. Both accused are residents of Kanpur.

According to NIA officials, Iqbal and Atif have been arrested under the charges of planning terrorist attacks and to wage waging war against the country.

According to the counter-terror agency, Atif provided weapons and ammunition to Saifullah while Iqbal was said to be a part of the module. Saifullah was said to be a member of the ISIS Khorasan module.

Iqbal became a member of the proscribed organisation and took oath of allegiance and associated himself with other accused in furtherance of the conspiracy, the NIA said.

Both were linked to Saifullah, who was killed in an anti-terror operation in Lucknow early on March 8. Saifullah was shot dead by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad in Thakurganj area after a siege operation that went on for nearly 12 hours following a blast on the Bhopal-Ujjain train on March 7.

Earlier, the NIA has arrested three persons -- Mohammad Faisal, Gauss Mohammad Khan and Mohammad Azhar -- in connection with the case.

Both the arrested accused would be produced before the NIA Special Court in Lucknow, the official said.

--IANS

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