Prayagraj, UP: The mysterious connections between the deceased Mafiosi Atiq Ahmad and his younger brother Khalid Azeem, known as Ashraf, with Pakistan-based arms dealers, continue to baffle investigators. Additionally, the whereabouts of a substantial cache of firearms, ammunition, and crude bombs, which the police initially alleged were hidden in Prayagraj and Kaushambi, remain unknown.
In its court application for seeking the duo’s custodial remand, the police asserted that Atiq and Ashraf had admitted to being involved with Pakistani arms dealers and concealing a stockpile of firearms. According to the application, Atiq’s statement disclosed his connections with the Pakistani secret service agency ISI and the terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba.
During the interrogation, Atiq disclosed to the authorities that the delivery of firearms occurs within the Indian border in Punjab via unmanned aerial vehicles (drones). These weapons are subsequently retrieved by a local contact. It has come to light that the same network is responsible for supplying firearms to terrorists in Kashmir.
The police have filed an application stating that Atiq and Ashraf possess knowledge regarding the location on the Punjab border where firearms are being dropped, as well as information about the individual responsible for collecting them. However, due to the sensitive nature of the situation, Atiq and Ashraf are unable to provide the exact coordinates. The police requested to take them into custody to guide them to the spot. Furthermore, the police, in their request for custody remand of the mafia brothers, alleged that the duo had confessed to concealing firearms, ammunition, and crude bombs at various locations across Prayagraj, Kaushambi, Fatehpur, and Unnao districts. These hidden items were reportedly situated amidst fields and farmhouses, with the precise whereabouts remaining unknown until the accused were accompanied to the sites.
Atiq and Ashraf were placed under custody remand by the court for a duration of four days, starting from April 14 and scheduled to conclude on April 17. The Dhumanganj police conducted a thorough questioning of the two individuals. On April 15, the police accompanied Atiq and Ashraf to the abandoned ruins located in the Kasari Masari area. As a result of their confession, the police successfully recovered two pistols and a total of 58 cartridges, including eight bullets that were manufactured in Pakistan.
Approximately three hours later, Atiq and Ashraf met a tragic fate as they were fatally shot while being transported to Colvin Hospital for a medical examination.
According to police officials, despite their efforts, the connection between the mafia brothers and the ISI, as well as terrorist organizations, remained an enigma. Only two pistols, a Colt among them, along with 58 bullets, were successfully recovered by the authorities. Unfortunately, before any further questioning could take place, Atiq and Ashraf, the individuals involved, were fatally shot, leaving the police unable to uncover the locations of the concealed stockpile of firearms and improvised explosive devices.
Officials have stated that investigations into this matter are ongoing, emphasizing that progress is being made. The recent apprehension of Guddu Muslim is expected to provide valuable leads regarding Atiq’s potential ties to Pakistani arms dealers. Additionally, law enforcement will actively pursue the recovery of the concealed arsenal of weapons belonging to the brothers, as stated by the officials.
