India, Aug. 18 -- The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has arrested a 24-year-old Bihar man from a mosque in Meerut for his alleged links with Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed, officials said Monday. The accused, Mohammad Zafar, a resident of Purnia district, had obtained a Maulvi degree from a madrasa in Meerut in 2022. He returned to the city around two months ago and was arrested from a mosque on Sunday. According to the ATS, Zafar collected donations in the name of a madrasa and allegedly sent the money to Jaish-e-Mohammed in Pakistan. Investigators also found Pakistani jihadi WhatsApp groups on his phone and alleged evidence of his involvement in online activities related to jihad and establishing a caliphate. The ATS alleged that Zafar was influenced by speeches and material glorifying jihad and Jaish chief Masood Azhar. He allegedly shared jihadi content on social media and remained in contact with suspected Pakistani operatives. Investigators also suspect that he transferred money using USDT cryptocurrency and sought details of a Binance account at a handler's direction.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.