Suspected Al Qaeda terrorist has links with Jharkhand, UP, Karnataka

The Al Qaeda Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) terrorist outfit member has links also in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, London and Dubai. Rehman, a PhD holder in Islam religion from UP, runs a Madrasa in Cuttack district. His elder brother Tahir Ali was earlier arrested in 2001 terror attack on American Embassy in Kolkata.

BHUBANESWAR: The suspected Al Qaeda terrorist Maulana Abdul Rehman, who was arrested from Odisha’s Cuttack, has links with Al Qaeda Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) members of Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka, said Police Commissioner RP Sharma.

Odisha police in a joint operation with Delhi police have arrested Rehman (37), a member of AQIS, from his house at Paschima Kachha village under Jagatpur police station limits on Tuesday late night.

Besides, the Al Qaeda terrorist has links in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, London and Dubai; Police Commissioner told media persons here.

Sharma said Delhi Police, in the course of its investigation, had come to know about Rehman’s links with the AQIS terrorist group after tracking his telephone call records.

Rehman is a PhD holder in Islam religion from Uttar Pradesh based Deobandh. He also runs a Madrasa in Manguli area under Tangi police limits.

Sharma also confirmed that his elder brother Tahir Ali was earlier arrested in 2001 terror attack on American Embassy in Kolkata.

As per the FIR lodged by Delhi police, the suspected Al Qaeda terrorist Rehman was engaged in recruiting members for the terror organisation.

But, the police are yet to confirm about his terror linkage in planning any terrorist activities in Odisha, Sharma said.

The details of his involvement in terrorist activities would be revealed only after his interrogation by the Delhi Police, he added.

A mobile phone, a tablet and his password have been seized during the raid, Sharma added.

The suspected terrorist would be produced in Salepur court in Cuttack to be taken to Delhi for further investigation.

Sharma said Rehman has three children and was involved in the religious activities in the village and has an influence on the local youths.