Delhi encounter: SIMI's real face exposed
Investigating agencies say that the shootout which resulted in the tragic death of gallant cop, inspector Mohan Chand Sharma of Delhi Police, has bared the real character of the Students Islamic Movement of India as consisting of religious fanatics who have no compunction in massacring innocents, possess deadly bomb making skills and are sitting on a cache of sophisticated weapons.
But while the feeling of vindication is palpable in the police ranks, they are also seeing the encounter as a wake-up call.
Agencies have long known that SIMI activists were trained to use firearms by instructors, some of whom had trained in
The revelation came with the discovery of elaborate camps across the country, namely Dharwad in Karnataka, near
The findings come at a time the Centre is building a strong case in Supreme Court for reversing the order of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal lifting the ban on the group. The tribunal turned down the Centre's plea to extend the ban on SIMI, saying the home ministry had failed to back up its case with evidence. The Centre retorted saying the tribunal had not taken the volumes of evidence put up before it; Friday's encounter should more than strengthen the government's case.
The death of an inspector will also make it difficult for powerful politicians in the government to argue for lifting the ban on the outfit.
Two members of the Manmohan Singh Cabinet - Railway Minister Lalu Prasad and Steel Minister Ramvilas Paswan - had hailed the tribunal order against the ban as validation of their belief in the ''innocence'' of the organization. They were joined by UPA's new-found ally, Mulayam Singh Yadav who as chief minister of Uttar Pradesh refused to enforce the ban on SIMI in the state.
Besides politicians, Syed Ahmed Bukhari, Shahi Imam of
''All defence counsels must be feeling very embarrassed,'' said a senior cop, reflecting the sense of relief in the fraternity that has grappled with political interference with investigations and allegations of ''communal frame-ups''.
Early this year, police uncovered terror camps in the Karnataka forests where radicalized youths belonging to SIMI were allegedly provided arms training. The forest area also served as the recruitment centre for jihadis.
A few months later, in March, when SIMI's general secretary Safdar Nagori was held with his top aides in Indore, it was found that the group was working closely with Pakistan and Bangladesh-based terror outfits such as Jaish-e-Mohammed and HuJI. Nagori and his men had an elaborate network in south
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Delhi_encounter_exposes_SIMIs_real_face/articleshow/3504594.cms
*******************************
How terrorists escaped not clear
20 Sep 2008, 0515 hrs IST,
Rahul Tripathi,TNN
Various police teams rushed inside and took part in the encounter. An NSG commando team also moved in to support the Delhi Police team. One of the terrorists was arrested. But despite the police cordon, two of the terrorists managed to escape. It was not clear by which route these terrorists were able to make their getaway in the melee. A significant cache of arms, including an AK-47, pistols, six mobile phones and several SIM cards along with two laptops were seized from the three bedroom flat.
The material in the laptops might give the police more information on the IM network as Atiq was in the core group which also includes SIMI general secretary Safdar Nagori and others held at
After the firing stopped, large number of people thronged the narrow lanes of the area and shouted religious slogans. "We are all against terrorism, then why were our religious places targeted?," asked a resident. Addressing the media, police chief Y S Dadwal brushed aside the criticism, saying, "There were a total of five suspected terrorists at L-18. Two were shot dead and one arrested while two managed to escape. Those who died were Atiq alias Fakruddin alias Bashir (24) and Mohammad Sajid (23) while the one who was arrested was identified as Mohammad Saif (21)."
Bashir had been identified as the leading light of IM's core team — responsible for blasts in three UP towns, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, failed bid on
The success in reaching those allegedly responsible for Delhi blasts came after similar co-ordiantion helped achieve breakthroughs with regard to blasts in Ahmedabad and Jaipur and the the plot against Surat.
The shootout also blasted a hole in SIMI's defence-that it is a cultural organisation- and may help Centre with its plea before the Supreme Court to restore the ban on it. Besides providing a new insight into SIMI's audacity, the dramatic event has once again trained the spotlight on Azamgarh. Four of the terrorist involved in the recent serial blasts in different cities are from Sarai Meer in Azamgarh. Two of them, Atiq and Mohammed Sajid, are dead. Mohammed Saif, the terrorist who was arrested from Batla House, is also from the same part of Azamgarh. Mufti Bashir, also from the same district in eastern UP, is seen as the main ideologue and planner of the IM.
Bashir's father in Azamgarh, Sadaf Ahmed, told tv channels that the terrorist had been in Azamgarh recently till July 10 and was an MA degree holder.
Bashir had left for
Investigators said that Bashir alongwith 10 others had gone to Ahmedabad before the blasts there and had returned by train to
Police added that the five terrorist were reportedly staying for past two months at the rented flat.
The owner of the house has been detained along with four others from the locality, a senior police official said. All the terrorists possessed fake identity cards of Jamia Milia Islamia.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Delhi/How_terrorists_escaped_not_clear/articleshow/3505229.cms
Delhi encounter a reprieve for Shivraj Patil
20 Sep 2008, 0111 hrs IST,TNN
The breakthrough that led to shooting of two terrorists and the arrest of another marks a new preparedness to be proactive against terror suspects.
The bold operation, with a police squad moving into a crowded area, seen as a no-entry zone by cops, marks a change of approach that has often been defensive.
With serial blasts in major cities battering the government, there was closer inter-state coordination on the
Though Patil has consistently favoured a "softer” handling of policing, often stressing the need to address "root causes” and describing militants as brothers gone astray, he must be hoping that the success achieved by
With his job seen to be under the axe, the minister would have been eager for some good news and the Jamia encounter is likely to be the tonic he has been seeking.
Now, it will still be up to Patil whether he wants to stick by what are seen to be "pacifist” positions or turn recent successes to his advantage.
The new urgency on tackling terrorism may see very little room for mistakes as the Congress and its partners approach a slew of Assembly elections which will be quickly followed by general polls.
*******************************
Jamia Nagar encounter: public refutes police claims
Submitted by Kashif on 19 September 2008 - 2:15pm.
By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net
While the police arrested one, other two escaped from the scene, claimed the police.
It was around 10:30 am when the police reached House No. L-18, near Khalilullah Masjid in Batala House area under Jamia Nagar Police Station. They cordoned the house and the adjoining area and asked the residents of a flat on the fourth floor of the building. But in response firing started from the flat and the police responded in the same coin and two persons were killed, said the police.
People in the neighbourhood have some other story. They say the operation started in the wee hours of Thursday and around 10 the encounter took place. They deny that there was any crossfire. They also deny there was any announcement by the police.
While the police is highlighting the bullet injury of a police officer of the Special Cell, they are saying little about the suspected people killed and escaped. No information has been given about the person who was arrested from the flat.
The locals also refute the police claim that two suspects fled from the scene. They say it is impossible to escape from the fourth floor flat as it is attached with other buildings and the police had cordoned off the entire area.
When this correspondent reached the site the entire Batala House was turned into a security zone. Scores of TV channels were there and the police was not allowing the mediamen to reach the building.
Neither the suspects killed nor one arrested were shown to the media. The Special Cell officers sped away with the bodies and the arrested person.
As the building is a few meters away from Khalilullah Masjid, the word went round that encounter is taking place at the mosque and in an hour thousands of people have gathered there.
Several locals were furious that the whole design was to tarnish the image of Muslims and
It should be noted that on Thursday, the Gujarat Police had brought Abu Bashar, alleged mastermind of the Ahmedabad serial blasts, to identify the places he stayed and the persons he met. Abu Bashar is from Azamgarh.
They brought him to Zakir Nagar and Abul Fazl Enclave. They detained many people for questioning.
They took him to Abul Fazl Enclave area and arrested Md. Rashid, a Ph.D. student of Jamia Millia Islami, from C-81.
When DCP South Delhi asked whether these suspects were involved in the
When he was asked how huge quantity of arms and ammunition were smuggled to the building while the police and Special Cell sleuths were conducting combing operations in entire
*************************
Nation mourns gallant cop M C Sharma
20 Sep 2008, 0000 hrs IST,TNN
Inspector MC Sharma who led
DELHI: At a time when most fathers would have stayed beside their sick son's hospital bed, tend to his blood transfusion and ensure that the dengue died down, Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma rushed to Jamia Nagar from the hospital to raid a house where terrorists were holed up. He hadn't gone home for three days, rushing from office to hospital and back and his wife expected him to return on Friday evening finally. But home they brought the warrior dead.
Sharma (42) was undoubtedly Delhi Police's top shot terror fighter, after ACP Rajbir Singh had been murdered a few months back. But he was no gunslinger. His forte was his technical expertise and his surveillance prowess was unmatched in the force.
Winner of seven gallantry awards, including the President's gallantry medal and 150 police rewards, Sharma, who moved with extra protection, was credited with the killing of 35 terrorists and the arrest of 80 others. ''We have lost our best man,'' said Joint commissioner (special cell) Karnal Singh, his boss.
There was no big operation in the cell which could be executed without Sharma and he delivered. Some of the cases he will be remembered for include the Parliament attack, Red Fort shootout and Diwali serial blasts. Sharma was instrumental in arrest of four Jaish-e-Mohammad militants in February last year after an encounter at DDU Marg. He was also involved in an encounter which saw the death of one of the most wanted terrorists, Abu Hamza, at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in 2006 after the Diwali blasts.
On Friday morning, when he went into the L-18 house, Sharma was not wearing a bullet-proof jacket. His colleagues said he had joined the team straight from a Dwarka hospital where his younger son is battling dengue.
His two sons are studying in class VIII and IX and a friend recalled that the cop, who was in line for a promotion to ACP, wanted a change of job as he was looking forward to spending time with his family. ''He wanted to teach his children and concentrate on their careers as they were growing,'' recalled a friend.
Sharma had, in fact, sought leave to attend to his son, but then came the
There was a time when Sharma and Rajbir were inseparable. Together, they struck fear in the hearts of all anti-social elements. They were looked upon as trigger-happy cops who would not refrain from shooting if criminals crossed their paths.
Like all encounter cops, Sharma's career too was not shorn of controversies. Sharma often cribbed that his onetime boss, best friend and mentor Rajbir Singh alone got all the credit for their operations, but death perhaps has restored the balance.
Sharma was often called called
Even some of his senior officers grudged the confidence he enjoyed with the chief of special cell. Sharma joined Delhi Police in 1989 and, 6 years later, got an out-of-turn promotion to become inspector. Sharma, however, came into his own after being transferred to the special cell in 1998.
Opposition leader L K Advani, who visited
Shootout at Jamia Nagar; 2 terrorists killed
20 Sep 2008, 0000 hrs IST, Rahul Tripathi ,TNN
Inspector Sharma, who boldly led the 11 am operation in mufti, fell victim to terrorist bullets. Shot thrice, once in the stomach, the 42-year-old cop was rushed to the
The other terrorist who was killed has been identified as Mohammad Sajid. Cops also arrested Mohammad Saif, a resident of Azamgarh, from the flat that the group had rented posing as students, while two others managed to flee.
Later in the day, one more person was picked up for questioning from Jhandewalan. He has been identified as Zeeshan, and is said to be a room partner of Atiq.
The death of Inspector Sharma cast a pall over the celebrations among cops and intelligence agencies over the shooting of Bashir. An Azamgarh resident like Sajid and Saif, Bashir was also involved in the July 26 blasts in Ahmedabad.
The special cell squad barged into the fourth floor of house no. L-18, within the Batla House area of Jamia Nagar, following credible inputs about the presence of a person whose physical appearance tallied with that of a senior SIMI operative repeatedly mentioned by those held for the Ahmedabad blasts. A special cell team, helped by inputs from the Intelligence Bureau and Gujarat and
The raiding team did not expect to come under heavy and accurate fire. Though trained to use firearms, SIMI/Indian Mujahideen members are not known for engaging police in gun battles, preferring to act by stealth and use "bomb-and-scoot' methods.
Leading from the front, Sharma entered the building dressed in a kurta-pyajama and inquired about the "tenants", when the cops suddenly came under fire from behind a door in the flat. The unit had two doors, one of which was locked from inside. As Sharma rushed to the second door which was ajar, he was shot by the terrorists.
Various police teams rushed inside and took part in the encounter. An NSG commando team also moved in to support the Delhi Police team and soon the two terrorists were gunned down while another was arrested. Despite the police cordon, two of the terrorists managed to escape. It was not clear by which route these terrorists were able to make their getaway in the melee.
A significant cache of arms, including an AK-47, pistols, six mobile phones and several SIM cards along with two laptops were seized from the three-bedroom flat. The material in the laptops might give the police more information on the IM network as Atiq was very much part of the core group which also includes SIMI general secretary Safdar Nagori and others held at
After the firing stopped, large number of people thronged the narrow lanes of the area and shouted religious slogans. "We are all against terrorism, then why were our religious places targeted?" asked a resident.
Addressing the media, police chief Y S Dadwal brushed aside the criticism, saying, ''There were a total of five suspected terrorists at L-18. Two were shot dead and one arrested while two managed to escape. Those who died were Atiq alias Fakruddin alias Bashir (24) and Mohammad Sajid (23) while the one who was arrested was identified as Mohammad Saif (21)."
Bashir had been identified as the the leading light of Indian Mujahideen's core team — responsible for blasts in three UP towns, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, failed bid on Surat, and Delhi — by both Abu Bashar and Sajjid Mansuri who have been arrested for the July 26 attack on the capital of Gujarat. Dadwal, however, asserted that inputs had not come from Bashar.
The Friday morning operation was the result of close coordination between central agencies, and the police forces of Rajasthan, Gujarat and
The shootout also blasted a hole in SIMI's defence that it is a cultural organisation- and may help Centre with its plea before the Supreme Court to restore the ban on it.
Besides providing a new insight into SIMI's audacity, the dramatic event has once again trained the spotlight on Azamgarh. Four of the terrorist involved in the recent serial blasts in different cities are from Sarai Meer in Azamgarh. Two of them, Atiq and Mohammed Sajid, are dead. Mohammed Saif, the terrorist who was arrested from Batla House, is also from the same part of Azamgarh. Mufti Bashir, also from the same district in eastern UP, is seen as the main ideologue and planner of the IM.
The identities of the two terror suspects who got away is not known but Delhi Police commissioner Y S Dadwal said the arrested terrorist Saif was being interrogated. He refused to respond to queries whether one of them could be IM's Mumbai techie Tauqeer.
Bashir's father in Azamgarh, Sadaf Ahmed, told tv channels that the terrorist had been in Azamgarh recently till July 10 and was an MA degree holder. He had left for
Investigators said that Bashir alongwith 10 others had gone to Ahmedabad before the blasts there and had returned by train to
All the recent blasts bore the signature of the IM-SIMI in the bombs being made from ammonium nitrate, wooden frame, similar timer clocks and two detonators in each device. The links between Bashir and the Ahemabad blast-accused points to the veracity in the Gujarat Police's investigations.
Police added that the five terrorist were reportedly staying for past two months at the rented flat. The owner of the house has been detained along with four others from the locality, a senior police official said. All the terrorists possessed fake identity cards of
SP leader and father of suspected militant says son innocent
19 Sep 2008, 2144 hrs IST,PTI
AZAMGARH: Samajwadi Party leader and father of suspected militant Mohammad Saif, who was arrested by Delhi Police after an encounter in the national capital on Friday, claimed his son was innocent and demanded a thorough probe before any punishment is meted out to him.
Shadab Ahmed, vice-president of the SP's district unit, said if found guilty his son should be "shot dead".
"If he is found guilty, I am ready to shoot him dead," Ahmed, who is popular as Mister, told reporters.
Saif, who hails from Sanjarpur village here, had gone to
Atif, one of the two terrorists killed in the shootout, was also from the same village and had come to the capital to pursue BTech, villagers said.
The terrorists were believed to be of the Indian Mujahideen, the organisation which was involved in the serial blasts in
Sanjarpur is about seven km away from Binapara, the native
*************************
Jamia Nagar holds its breath as it struggles with the ‘terror tag’
Neha Sinha Posted: Sep 20, 2008 at 0041 hrs IST
Its verandah wore a dishevelled look, with pieces of smashed flower pots and glass strewn all over. A black shirt fluttered from a hanger outside, a pair of blue jeans lay folded on the floor. The door that led into the balcony had religious verses pinned on it. This was where the two alleged terrorists were shot dead in a mid-morning encounter by the police.
Nearby the building stands the Khalilullah Mosque and in its shadow a lattice of narrow lanes. Most houses on them are tall, but neck-to-neck.
The closeness of the homes helped the police on Friday. They clambered on the upper floors of the house opposite — L-10 — and started throwing flower pots at the fourth-floor balcony where the men lived — to test if the men were inside.
A resident here Saba Israr said: “By 10.15 am they had opened fire and it continued for sometime. I read my namaz at home today.” Locals said the five alleged terrorists were students of the
The bang of the guns drained peace from the area on Friday, the holiest day of Ramzan. Not many ventured out to the mosque, schoolbuses refused to drop home students and people seemed disconcerted — will this area get a Terror tag? As Israr put it: “We are looking at the credentials of our tenants. How could this have happened in our locality?”
The people here mention three places to identify where they live — Khalilullah, Batla House and Okhla. These areas might be geographically separate, but the combined address established their reality — the religious splendour of the mosque, the familiarity of Batla and the opulence of Okhla.
The residents also fiercely guard the reputation of that address. It was not a happy experience to see Zeba Siddiqui — a student of Class XII — being picked up by her father because the school authorities would not send the bus on Friday.
Thirty-two-year-old mother of two Sheeba Naqvi shifted to the Khalilullah area a few months ago. “We lived in Zakir Nagar, but this locality, with its robust service class, appealed to us. It is not congested and the people are liberal,” Naqvi said. Her children study at
Source: indianexpress.com
URL: https://newageislam.com/war-terror/delhi-encounter-simi-real-face/d/759