Hyd police seizes computer hard disks of SIMI operative

A Hyderabad police team has seized hard disks of two computers believed to have been used by Shah Mudassir alias Talha, a member of proscribed SIMI arrested along with an aide of the IM operative in Secunderabad last month, for allegedly planning to visit Afghanistan to get training from al-Qaeda.

As per reports, Mudassir, who used to run a shop at Umerkhed in Yavatmal district, had been apprehended along with his close friend Shoeb Ahmed Khan alias Tariq Bhai, an associate of Mansoor Ali Peerboy (Media in-charge of Indian Mujahideen, Pune Module), on October 22. Tariq was held from Hingoli district, also in Maharashtra.

According to police, the duo were allegedly planning to go to Afghanistan to get training from al-Qaeda for carrying out terror activities in India. The Hyderabad police team, headed by Additional SP D. Harish Kumar, reached Umarkhed yesterday and conducted thorough searches at Mudassir's shop and house apparently to look for any evidence on his association, if any, with any Afghanistan-based terrorist outfit.

Mudassir used to run a computer cum mobile shop near the state transport (ST) bus station in Umarkhed and also handled a computer in his uncle's house. Hard disks of both the computers were seized during the search conducted on Tuesday, an official attached to Umarkhed police station said on Wednesday requesting anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to media.

When contacted, Yavatmal SP, Sanjay Darade on Wednesday confirmed the search by the Hyderabad police team, but did not elaborate. The team is investigating the matter and hence I don't want to speak on the details of their investigation, Darade said. He said the local police did not know anything about any link between Mudassir and any terrorist group either based in the country or abroad.

A case had been registered against the duo with Gopalapuram police station under Hyderabad police commissionarate according to relevant sections of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and IT Act.