RANCHI: The Jharkhand Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), which is probing the state’s Hizb ut-Tahrir (HuT) module, has arrested a former Indian Mujahideen (IM) operative who rejoined terror activities after spending a decade behind bars.
The suspect, identified as Ammar Yashar (33), was arrested from Shamsher Nagar under Shamshar Bhuli OP in Dhanbad. According to police sources, the ATS also seized a mobile phone and several banned documents from his possession. He was produced in court on Thursday and subsequently sent to jail.
“After being released from prison in 2024, Yashar allegedly resumed involvement in terrorist activities. This time, he was reportedly engaged in anti-national activities through his association with Hizb ut Tahrir,” said DGP Anurag Gupta.
According to ATS officials, Yashar was earlier associated with the banned terrorist organisation Hizbul Mujahideen and was arrested by Jodhpur Police in 2014. He was released in May last year after spending 10 years in jail. Following his release, he re-established contact with HuT operatives, including his associate Ayan Javed.
Three cases have been lodged against Yashar, all in Jodhpur and Jaipur in Rajasthan.
Information about Yashar’s renewed involvement came to light during the interrogation of Ayan Javed, a HuT member earlier remanded to ATS custody. Javed reportedly revealed several details that led to the seizure of suspicious documents from Yashar, linking him to the banned group.
In a broader crackdown on terror networks, the Jharkhand ATS on Saturday arrested four more individuals from Dhanbad for alleged links to banned organisations Hizb ut-Tahrir and Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS).
Those arrested were identified as Gulfam Hasan (21), Aayan Javed (21), Md Shahzad Alam (20), and Shabnam Parveen (20), the wife of Aayan Javed. During the raids, the ATS recovered two pistols, 12 bullets, multiple books and documents linked to banned outfits, along with over half a dozen mobile phones and laptops.
Hizb ut-Tahrir, founded in Jerusalem in 1953, was banned by the Indian government under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) on 10 October 2024. The organisation’s stated aim is to establish a global Islamic Caliphate and overthrow democratically elected governments through radicalisation and extremist activities.