‘Live stream with AK-47 rifle, hand grenades’: Bijnor man held at Delhi airport over 'arms video' in terror module probe

BIJNOR: A man from UP's Bijnor, identified as Majul (only first name available), was arrested at Delhi's IGI airport on Saturday immediately after his arrival from South Africa, where he had been working at a salon for five years.According to police, a 'lookout circular' was issued for him earlier in connection with an alleged terror module probe.The case came to light on April 2, when Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) revealed details of a suspected "broader network" following the arrest of four suspects in Lucknow. Unravelling the network, police in Bijnor apprehended locals Uwaid Malik and Jalal Haider early April. Sameer alias Mohd Ruhan of Najibabad was picked on April 15.Notably, a live stream on Instagram had purportedly showed some of them displaying an AK-47 rifle and hand grenades, raising security concerns. The clip had surfaced last Nov.According to police, Majul was present in that video call along with Aqib and Azad among others. Aqib and Azad are believed to be in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, respectively. The men were in "contact with Pakistani handlers" and were using Instagram to spread provocative content online, said a senior police officer, privy to the case.

Incidentally, Majul was given a "clean chit" in the case linked to the video. At that time, an FIR was registered against him under Arms Act and IT Act. But his name resurfaced as ATS officers started "working on the network". A lookout notice was thereafter issued.