(Image source from: Terrorist outfit member held in Bengaluru})

Delhi Police has arrested a suspected member of the terrorist outfit al-Qaida in Bengaluru, according to sources. The alleged member of the terror group, identified as Maulana Anzar Shah, was held on Wednesday. He was allegedly plotting a series of terror strikes in India.

According to sources, “The aim of the group was to attack some prominent leaders along with the crowded and tourist places.”

Shah was taken to Delhi on transit remand and produced at the Patiala House court. The anti-terrorist Special Cell wing of Delhi Police arrested him as a part of ongoing operation against al-Qaida in the Indian sub-continent (AQIS).

In December 2015, the Special Cell arrested two AQIS operatives identified as Zafar Masood and Abdul Rehman. According to reports, Shah’s name came out during the interrogation. Sources reveal that Mohammed Asif, AQIS’s recruitment and training head, another terrorist in custody, confessed meeting Shah at a religious congregation in Bengaluru.

Sources also revealed that Shah had reactivated himself to offer logistical support when contacted by the AQIS operatives. It was added that the Special Cell has financial transaction details between them and Shah.

-Sumana