Vijayawada, March 24 – Andhra Pradesh Police on Tuesday arrested three young men from Vijayawada for their suspected links with terror groups.
The Counter-Intelligence Cell arrested Mohammad Rahamatullah Sharif, 23, Md. Danish, 27, and Mirza Sohail Baig, 23, for allegedly promoting extremist ideology on social media platforms.
The trio is suspected of having links with ISIS and AQIS, and allegedly formed 'Al Malik Islamic Youth' to radicalize youth. They are alleged to have circulated content promoting the replacement of the national flag with the ISIS flag.
The CI Cell arrested the young men near their residence in the Wynchipeta locality and conducted searches. They also seized electronic devices and incriminating material, police sources said.
All three were later produced before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court, which sent them to judicial custody until April 6. They were subsequently transferred to Vijayawada Central Prison.
During the hearing, the judge asked the accused if they had hired a lawyer. When the accused told him that they couldn't afford a lawyer, the judge asked them to provide this information in writing.
A case has been registered against the accused under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Information Technology Act at the Vijayawada Two Town Police Station.
Allegedly in contact with their handlers in Pakistan and carrying out their activities through social media, the accused were allegedly attempting to influence and radicalize youth through Instagram, Telegram, and other social media platforms to engage in terrorist activities.
The Counter-Intelligence Cell carried out the operation following sustained surveillance of online radical content and credible information that the accused were receiving funds from Pakistan to recruit terrorists and carry out their activities.
They are suspected of having formed a group of 10 young men from not just Andhra Pradesh, but various parts of the country, as they are suspected of establishing a nationwide network by allegedly promoting extremist ideology through online platforms.
The police are continuing their investigation to probe their alleged links with terror outfits.