Pune News : ATS Apprehends Mechanical Engineer From Pune Over Involvement In Terror Funding Activities
On the 29 of July 2023, a significant arrest took place in Pune when the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) apprehended a 27-year-old mechanical engineer named Simab Kazi. He was caught in the act of sending money to a businessman who harbored terrorists arrested from Kothrud. These funds were intended to support the terror activities of the arrested individuals, who hailed from Madhya Pradesh and were residing in Kondhwa.
With this recent arrest, a total of four individuals have now been taken into custody in connection with the criminal conspiracy.
Earlier, two individuals from Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, identified as Mohammad Imran Mohammad Yusuf Khan (23) and Mohammad Yusuf Mohammad Yakub Saki (24), were arrested in Kondhwa while attempting to steal a two-wheeler. As a result of further investigation, their terrorist connections were discovered, and they were on the most wanted list of the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Additionally, Abdul Qadir Dastgir Pathan (32) from Kondhwa, who provided shelter to the two arrested terrorists, was also detained.
Simab Kazi appeared before the court today, and the ATS has been granted custody of him until August 5 for further investigation. During the joint interrogation of the previously arrested suspects, it was revealed that a person from Ratnagiri had provided financial support to Pathan. After identifying this person as Kazi, the ATS called him in for questioning, leading to the discovery of his involvement in providing financial logistics to the terrorists.
The ATS, along with the investigating officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police Arun Vaikar, and Special Public Prosecutor Vijay Fargade, sought his custody to delve into the extent of his involvement and any potential accomplices.
As per the statement made in the court, Kazi transferred money to Pathan’s bank account, which was then passed on to Khan and Saki to fund their terrorist activities. They pretended to be graphic designers. The NIA has associated them with the ISIS-inspired Sufa terrorist group based in Madhya Pradesh.
Kazi hails from Pandheri village in Ratnagiri district, and holds Mechanical Engineering degree and earns a salary of Rs 15 lakhs. His current residence is in Kondhwa area of Pune city.
