Delhi Police arrests Bengaluru madrasa teacher for al Qaeda links

The Delhi Police has arrested madrasa teacher ​Maulana Anzar Shah for being a suspected member of the terrorist outfit al Qaeda in Bengaluru.

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New Delhi: At a time when the country is reeling from an attack at a Pathankot airbase, the Delhi Police has arrested a suspected member of the terrorist outfit al Qaeda in Bengaluru, who was working as a madrasa teacher.

The alleged member of the terror group, identified as Maulana Anzar Shah, was arrested on Wednesday night.

News agency IANS has quoted sources as saying that the man was planning to carry out a series of terror strikes in the country.

"The aim of the group was to attack some prominent leaders along with the crowded and tourist places."

Shah, brought to Delhi on transit remand, was produced before Patiala House court in Delhi, which sent him to police custody till January 20.

He was arrested by the anti-terrorist Special Cell wing of Delhi Police in its ongoing operation against al-Qaida in the Indian sub-continent (AQIS).

The Special Cell had in December last year arrested two AQIS operatives Zafar Masood and Abdul Rehman. Reportedly, Shah's name popped up during their interrogation.

Another terrorist in custody, Mohammed Asif, the recruitment and training head of AQIS, had also confessed to meeting Shah at a religious congregation in Bengaluru, sources said.

According to sources, Shah had reactivated himself to provide logistical support when contacted by the AQIS operatives.

The Special Cell also has the details of financial transaction between them and Shah, the source added.

(With Agency inputs)