Four Suspected Terrorists Arrested in Haridwar

New Delhi, Jan 20 (IANS) Delhi Police has arrested four suspected terrorists -- reportedly linked with the Islamic State terror outfit -- from Haridwar in Uttarakhand for plotting attacks in the capital and nearby areas.

The four suspects -- Akhlaq ur Rehman, Mohammad Osama alias Adil, Mohammad Azimu Shaan and Mehraj -- were arrested on Tuesday based on specific information by central intelligence agencies.

"All the suspects belong to Haridwar from where they were arrested on Tuesday. We produced them in a court in Delhi today (Wednesday) which sent them to 15 days police custody," said Special Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Arvind Deep.

The suspects had plans to carry out bombings during the ongoing Ardh Kumbh in Haridwar, in Roorkee-Haridwar bound trains, in Delhi and some parts of the National Capital Region (NCR).

The Ardh-Kumbh started on January 1 this year and will end on April 30. During the four-month religious congregation, over five crore pilgrims are expected to visit the district to bathe in the holy Ganga river.

On the first major bathing day on January 14, close to 10 lakh devotees took a dip in the Ganga.

Police claimed that the arrested people were in touch with Shafi Armar, who handles recruitment for Ansar Al Twahid, the Indian offshoot of the terror group.

"We got an input from intelligence agencies that some people are planning attacks on Roorkee-Haridwar bound trains and some other locations in Haridwar and NCR," Arvind Deep said.

The official said a specific team including police inspectors Neli and Hridaynath was set up under the supervision of Additional Commissioner of Police Alok Kumar and Deputy Commissioner of Police P.S. Kushwah and they thwarted a possible attack after the arrest of the four people.

Deep said further investigation was on to unearth the whole plot.

The officer also praised Uttar Pradesh Police for helping them in the operation.