The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), has yet again taken a significant stride forward by arresting Zulfikar Ali Barodawala, who was already held in another case by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). He has now been apprehended by the ATS. Earlier the squad had arrested two terror suspects in Pune last month, and this development sheds new light on the complex network underlying the suspected terror plot.
The Mastermind in Custody: Unraveling the Web
Barodawala's arrest marks a pivotal turn in the ongoing investigation. He was taken into custody in Mumbai on Tuesday and subsequently presented before a Pune court. The ATS, during the court proceedings, asserted that Barodawala is believed to be the mastermind and handler behind the arrested terror suspects. Barodawala was previously under judicial remand as part of an NIA investigation, but his custody was transferred to the ATS. This move has escalated the total number of arrests made in connection with the Pune terror suspects case to five individuals.
Judicial Proceedings and Revelation of Connections
Upon his appearance before a special court in Pune, Barodawala was remanded in police custody until August 11, 2023. The court session witnessed the prosecution highlighting significant evidence linking Barodawala to the other four terror suspects, including Mohammad Imran Mohammad Yunus Khan (23) and Mohammad Yunus Mohammad Yakub Saki (24). The ATS, presenting its case, emphasized that Barodawala had communicated extensively with the aforementioned terror suspects based on call data records. These interactions unveiled a chain of connections that are believed to be integral to the execution of the alleged terror activities.
Central Figures and Their Roles
The prosecution shed light on the roles played by the accused individuals in the alleged plot. Barodawala was described as the "mastermind" who provided instructions and funding to the third and fourth accused. Accused number 3, Qadir Dastgir Pathan, is suspected of harboring Khan and Saki in Pune, while the fourth accused, apprehended in Ratnagiri, is believed to have provided financial assistance. Further revelations indicate that Barodawala, in collaboration with Khan and Saki, imparted bomb-making training to individuals closely associated with him. This revelation underscores the extent of the alleged plot's sophistication.
Unearthed Evidence and Continued Investigation
The ATS has already made significant seizures of chemicals and laboratory equipment intended for the production of explosive devices. These materials were discovered in a location where one of the earlier arrested terror suspects had concealed them. Furthermore, the ATS unveiled that images of Chabad House, one of the sites targeted during the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai, were retrieved from electronic devices belonging to the arrested suspects. As the investigation presses forward, the ATS and other involved agencies are working tirelessly to piece together the intricate details of the alleged terror plot.
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