Parganas: A suspected militant from Kashmir was arrested on Sunday in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, a senior police officer confirmed.
Javed Munshi, believed to be linked to the banned ‘Tehreek e Mujahideen’ group, was apprehended near Canning Hospital by a joint team of Jammu and Kashmir Police and West Bengal’s Special Task Force, PTI reported.
Munshi, who claimed to be visiting a relative in Canning, had long been wanted by Jammu and Kashmir Police for his involvement in subversive activities in the Kashmir Valley.
As per the report, the ‘Tehreek e Mujahideen’ group is believed to be controlled from Pakistan and has connections with other militant organisations in the region, including in Pakistan and Bangladesh.
In a statement, police claimed to have found “Jihadi literature” in Munshi’s possession, adding that he was reportedly tasked with indoctrinating locals and recruiting youths for the group. Authorities are investigating whether he was attempting to establish a sleeper cell in the area and verifying if he has expertise in IEDs.
Munshi has been remanded in transit custody until December 31 after being produced in court. His arrest follows a recent crackdown on members of the ‘Ansar-al-Islam’ group, who were allegedly planning attacks in West Bengal, the PTI report mentioned.
