Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 18 Jun: Tightening its crackdown on individuals allegedly involved in anti-national activities in Uttarakhand, the Special Task Force (STF) has arrested a man from the Gadarpur area of Udham Singh Nagar district for allegedly promoting radical and anti-national ideology through social media platforms. During subsequent interrogation and a late-night search operation conducted on the basis of information provided by the accused, STF personnel recovered an English-made pistol, five live cartridges, four detonators and two AK-47 cartridges from a location identified by him.
According to the STF officials, the arrest was made following receipt of confidential intelligence inputs. The accused has been identified as Mohammad Salauddin, son of Abdul Malik and a resident of Majra Sila in Gadarpur. He was taken into custody for questioning after investigators received information regarding his alleged involvement in activities considered detrimental to national security and social harmony.
SSP-STF Ajai Singh stated that the examination of the accused’s mobile phone revealed his association with various groups and chat forums on social media platforms, including Instagram, Telegram and Signal, where content linked to radical and jihadist ideology was being circulated. He also asserted that several chats and messages relating to jihad, martyrdom and anti-national narratives have been found during the preliminary examination of the device. The agency believes that the accused was allegedly attempting to influence and radicalise young people through online platforms and encourage activities that could adversely affect social harmony, national unity, integrity and security.
The investigation has further indicated the possibility of the accused being linked to an inter-state network engaged in anti-national activities. Preliminary findings have also indicated possible contacts with international or cross-border radical elements through social media networks. STF officials said the authenticity, extent and nature of these connections are being examined in detail. Based on the emerging leads, STF teams have also conducted searches at locations in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh to identify and verify the role of other people suspected to be connected with the network.
During scrutiny of digital communications, investigators reportedly came across suspicious conversations relating to the storage, movement and handling of weapons and explosive materials. These communications are currently under technical and forensic examination. During interrogation, the accused also admitted that he had deleted certain chats and contacts. Investigators also discovered his purported links with an individual residing in Rampur district of Uttar Pradesh, whose role is now under investigation. STF officials said several sensitive inputs have emerged during questioning.
SSP STF Ajai Singh further shared with the media that preliminary interrogation and information gathered through confidential sources suggest that the accused is allegedly being handled by a person operating from Malaysia with links to Pakistan and that preparations were purportedly being made to execute a specific terror incident. He said all the intelligence and the security agencies concerned have been informed and further legal proceedings are being carried out in accordance with the law.
The accused has reportedly admitted during questioning that certain incidents had influenced him and contributed to the development of radical views. Considering the seriousness of the matter, STF registered a case against him under Sections 152 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 66(C) and 66(F) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and subsequently arrested him in accordance with legal procedures.
STF said the action forms part of the ongoing efforts being undertaken under the state government’s vision of an ‘Aparadh Mukt Uttarakhand’ and the sustained monitoring by security agencies of individuals attempting to disturb social harmony or undermine the unity, integrity, sovereignty and security of the country. Ajai Singh has also urged the citizens to immediately inform the STF if they receive any information regarding persons involved in anti-national activities. He assured that the identity of informants would be kept completely confidential while appropriate action would be taken on credible inputs.
