19-year-old planning 'lone wolf' attacks held in joint operation by Gujarat ATS, Haryana STF

Ahmedabad: The Haryana police's special task force (STF) based on intelligence input from Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested a 19-year-old youth from Faridabad who was allegedly planning "lone wolf" attacks. The police have claimed to have recovered two hand grenades from his possession.

The suspect has been identified as Abdul Abubakar Rahman, originally from Faizabad in Uttar Pradesh. Police officials said that Rahman is "highly radicalised" and was working under the influence of a foreign handler associated with Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

According to a release by Haryana police, the Gujarat ATS passed on an information that "Rahman was in contact with some terrorist outfit who have a plan to execute a terrorist attack very soon." Soon after that, STF was told that "this person may come to Faridabad for a big terrorist activity."

The release stated that Haryana STF's Palwal unit was being given the responsibility to catch the suspect. On March 2, Gujarat ATS informed Haryana STF that "Rahman was going towards Faridabad and a plan was laid out to arrest him." The ATS even shared a photo of Rahman with the STF.

"Yesterday (May 2) during search Abdul Rahman, a resident of Faizabad, was arrested by ATS Gujarat and STF Palwal. During his questioning, the suspect said that there were two hand grenades in his bag . His was kept in an open space and bomb disposal squad was called who defused the explosives," the police release stated.

Sources in Gujarat ATS said that Rahman was under the influence of a foreigner handler. The police have allegedly found several incriminating evidence from his phone suggesting his radicalisation due to association with the member of the terrorist outfit.

Police also suspect that he has attended several "radicalisation camps" to turn into a "lone wolf."