Terrorists may have planned Lahore-like attack on Nashik: ATS

Mumbai, Sept 13 (PTI) Three security establishments in
Nashik city including Indian Army's Deolali camp were recceed
by arrested LeT terror suspect Shaikh Lalbaba Mohammed Hussain
for a Lahore Police Academy-type attack, Maharashtra
Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) Monday said.
A terror strike probably similar to that of the 2009
Lahore Police Academy attack was planned on the three
establishments as per instructions from LeT handlers in
Pakistan, an senior ATS official said.
"The Deolali camp, Maharashtra Police Academy and
Police Commissionerate in Nashik were on the hit list of
Shaikh alias Bilal," the official said.
"There may have been a plan of an attack similar to
that of terror strike on Lahore Police Academy," the official
said on condition of anonymity.
On May 30 last year, heavily armed terrorists stormed
a police academy near Lahore in Pakistan, killing at least 27
policemen in an eight-hour siege that ended with four
terrorists being shot dead and six captured alive by security
forces.
Bilal, arrested for allegedly preparing for terror
strikes in the western Indian state of Maharashtra last week,
was staying in Nashik with two fake identities and conducted
recce of these three locations since May as per the
instructions of his aide Mirza Himayat Baig, held in
connection with Pune blast, the official said.
"Baig was directed to select these targets by LeT
handlers in Pakistan," the official said.
The fake identities assumed by 27-year-old Bilal were
Amin Manik Parekh and Sutar Iqbal. He was arrested under
Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act from Nashik.
During his stay in Nashik, Bilal was working as CNC
lathe machine operator in Satpur industrial area and used to
work in shifts, the official said.
"Whenever Bilal had leisure time, he visited these
places a number of times to get details as what is the area of
the targets, how many exit and entry points they have etc,"
the official said.
They were in the 'early stage' of the terror plan, the
official said, adding photographs of these targets were also
seized from them.
According to the ATS, Bilal had visited LeT camps in
Pakistan between January 2008 and early 2010 where he received
advanced training in use of sophisticated weapons and making
bombs. He had sneaked into India thrice during the period
through the Bangladesh and Nepal borders.
In January, Baig along with Mohsin Choudhary and
Mohammad Ahmed Zarar Siddibappa alias Yasin, alleged Indian
Mujahideen (IM) members, had held a conspiracy meeting at his
Gold internet cafe in Udgir in Latur district to select their
targets and German bakery was chosen as it was frequented by
foreigners.
Baig was also in contact with Zaibuddin Ansari, an
alleged LeT member wanted in 2006 Aurangabad arms haul case,
the ATS said. MORE PTI VM
RDM


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