Odisha Police STF to visit New Delhi to interrogate Rahman

A team of the special task force (STF) of Odisha Police will soon visit New Delhi to interrogate Habibur Rahman, one of the handlers of Lashkar-e -Taiba (LeT) terrorist Shaikh Abdul Naeem alias Nomi, arrested recently.

Habibur, alias Habib, is a native of Kendrapara district in Odisha.

"A STF team led by DIG Himanshu Lal will leave for New Delhi very soon to interrogate Habibur Rahman with the permission of the National Investigation Team (NIA)," Odisha police's Crime Branch ADGP S K Upadhya told reporters here.

The ADGP said the team will interrogate Rahman on his Odisha link and his modus operandi on terror activities in the state.

"It will also seek details on how many times he had accompanied the Pakistan-based (LeT) terrorist Shaikh Abdul Naeem to Odisha," Upadhya said.

Rahman was arrested by the NIA in New Delhi on August 6 after being deported from Saudi Arabia.

Naeem has been charge-sheeted along with 10 other co-accused including Rahman.

It is alleged that Habibur had arranged hideouts and funds for Naeem on different occasions.

Acting Director General of Police (DGP) and Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissioner Satyajit Mohanty had yesterday said that the Odisha Police was ready to provide all assistance to the NIA in its investigation.

Mir Aainuddin, the father of Habibur Rahaman, had yesterday said his son should be punished if he is found to be involved in any terror activities.

Aainuddin, a native of Mirmahala hamlet in Tendakuda gram panchayat of Kendrapara district, said the family had not been in touch with Rahaman for 12 years as he was disowned for marrying outside his religion.