Bijnor (UP), April 10 Two men were arrested in this district of Uttar Pradesh on Friday for allegedly being in contact with a handler based in Dubai, who was linked to Pakistan, police said.
Circle Officer, Najibabad, Anjani Kumar Chaturvedi said that Uvaid Malik and Jalal Haider were arrested following information about their alleged connection with Aqib, a resident of Meerut who is currently staying in Dubai.
According to police, Aqib had come into the spotlight earlier after a video surfaced on Instagram purportedly showing him displaying an AK-47 rifle and explosives.
During interrogation, the arrested men allegedly told police that Aqib used to incite young people against Hindus and encourage anti-national activities, the officer said, adding that detailed questioning of the accused is underway.
On April 6, Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhishek Jha said that the video first surfaced in November last year. Aqib, a native of Sathla village in the Mawana area of Meerut, was allegedly seen in the video brandishing weapons.
Following the viral clip, a case was registered at the Nangal police station by sub-inspector Vinod Kumar. However, the then station house officer and investigating officer Satyendra Singh had recorded Aqib's statement and filed a final report, stating that the weapons seen in the video were toys, effectively giving him a clean chit.
Police said that fresh developments have now revealed Aqib's suspicious links and the investigation has been handed over to the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS).
The SP said that action has been taken against the concerned officials, with the then SHO and investigating officer suspended and Circle Officer Nitesh Pratap Singh removed from his post.