New Delhi: Maulvi Irfan Ahmad Wagay, an imam from Shopian, in Jammu & Kashmir, was arrested on Tuesday in connection with the recovery of a huge cache of explosives in Faridabad.
The Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) and Srinagar Police, who carried out a joint operation, have identified Irfan as the first lead in the Faridabad-based inter-state terror module case.
Irfan, who serves as an imam at a local mosque, is suspected to be involved in radicalising a network of doctors and professionals, and linking them to terror groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, India Today reported.
Irfan maintained multiple Telegram and Threema accounts through which he circulated Jaish propaganda. “He also showed Afghan war-time sermons to targeted students,” sources said.
According to investigators, he received ideological guidance and encrypted voice instructions from handlers based in Nangarhar.
Irfan’s wife has also been taken into custody, and the couple is being questioned about their possible role in the Red Fort car explosion.
Officials seized five mobile phones in the operation.
Rs 10 lakh for kin of deceased
The Delhi government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh to the kin of deceased, Rs 5 lakh to those permanently disabled and Rs 2 lakh to those injured.
As the toll in Monday’s blast rose to 13, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the conspirators will not be spared.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who chaired a high-level security review meeting, echoed Modi’s sentiments.
“Everyone involved in the blast will face the full wrath of our agencies,” said Shah.
President Droupadi Murmu called Shah from Angola to enquire about the blast.
