J&K Police detains Haryana preacher in ‘white collar’ terror module case linked to Delhi blast

The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday detained a preacher from Haryana’s Mewat in connection with the ‘white collar’ terror module, according to PTI.

This alleged white collar terror module has been linked to Delhi’s Red Fort blast that killed 12 people and injured over a dozen. The police have so far detained at least nine persons suspected to be part of the module from J&K, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. The police have also picked up their acquaintances.

The preacher has been identified as Maulvi Ishtiyaq, who lived in a rented accommodation inside the Al Falah University complex in Haryana’s Faridabad. Other suspects in the case have also been associated with the university.

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It was from Ishtiyaq’s house that the police recovered around 2,500 kilograms of suspected ammonium nitrate and other explosives material, officials told PTI.

They said that Ishtiyaq has been brought to Srinagar for interrogation.

Previously, the J&K Police had said it had arrested seven persons in the case from Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana in an inter-state case. An eighth person, a woman doctor, was also detained in Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow. Ishtiyaq is the ninth person to be picked up in the case.

‘White collar’ module part of Jaish-e-Mohammed: Police

The police have said that the white collar module —where multiple suspects are doctors— is part of the Pakistan-based and -backed Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGUH).

In addition to explosives mention above, the police said they also recovered weapons from the accused’s properties, including one Chinese Star pistol along with ammunition, one Beretta pistol along with ammunition, one AK-56 Rifle along with ammunition, one AK Krinkov Rifle along with ammunition.

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The police also said they recovered around 2,900 kg of bomb-making material, including explosives, chemicals, reagents, inflammable material, electronic circuits, batteries, wires, remote control, timers, and metal sheets.

The investigation begun October 19 when multiple JeM posters were found pasted at different locations in Bunpora, Nowgam, and Srinagar that threatened and intimidated police and security forces, the police said.

“The investigation has revealed a white collar terror ecosystem, involving radicalised professionals and students in contact with foreign handlers, operating from Pakistan and other countries. The group has been using encrypted channels, for indoctrination, coordination, fund movement and logistics. Funds were raised through professional and academic networks, under the guise of social/charitable causes,” the police said.

The accused were found involved in identifying persons to radicalise, initiate and recruit them to terrorist ranks, raising funds, arranging logistics, and procuring arms, ammunition, and material for preparing improvised explosive devices (IEDs).