Kolkata cops pick up two IS suspects, both engineers, from Howrah – Times of India

KOLKATA/HOWRAH: The Special Task Force of Kolkata Police has claimed to have arrested two Howrah residents for their alleged link with the Indian chapter of IS. The accused – Md Saddam alias Saddam Mullick alias Abdul Mullick and Sayeed Ahmed (30)- were planning some attacks in various parts of the country.
“The accused are a part of IS and were planning some attacks on Indian soil. With their arrest, we have foiled possible planned attacks,” said joint CP (STF) Solomon V Nesakumar.

While Saddam is a MTech, Sayeed too is an IT engineer who is extremely proficient with technology and the use of dark web, claimed STF officers. The accused have been recently travelling extensively to the western and north-western parts of India to carry out recruitments and gather funds.
According to STF sources, both were arrested under dramatic conditions from the Vidyasagar Setu link around 4.30pm on Friday. “The accused were chased down while they were on a two-wheeler,” claimed a source. They were arrested from the eastern slope of Vidyasagar Setu, near the bifurcation point of the flank leading to AJC Bose road and Kidderpore/Esplanade bound road.
“They were arrested for conspiring to wage a war against the state,” said Solomon. The accused was produced in court on Saturday. They were sent to police custody for 12 days.
“They indoctrinate people by propagating terror ideas and hatred in society. It further transpired that to fulfil their intention of waging a war against the state, they were in the process of recruiting young youths. They were also collecting arms and explosives and raising funds,” added the officer. Several laptops, mobile phones, hard drives, pen drives, CPU, note book, diary, weapons, debit cards and a motorcycle have been seized from their possession.
Several of their hideouts are now being raided. Several Jehadi contents, list of Jehadi channels and list of doubtful names of companies funding them through hawala channels have also been traced. Saddam’s father, Mohd Mokkam, denied that his son was involved in any terror activities. “He used to chat extensively on social media and defended his religion when baseless allegations were made against it. He cannot have any terror links,” claimed Mokkam.