Handlers using P2P messenger apps to plan terrorist attacks: UP police

The UP Police Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) has revealed that the handlers are using a peer-to-peer messaging app to set up sleeper cells in the country. Using these messaging platforms, the terrorist handlers are communicating with their sleeper cells and planning terrorist conspiracies.

Lucknow: The UP Police Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) has revealed that the handlers are using a peer-to-peer messaging app to set up sleeper cells in the country. Using these messaging platforms, the terrorist handlers are communicating with their sleeper cells and planning terrorist conspiracies. They are using this app to provide online training to unemployed youth to push them on the path of terrorism.

The ATS is now looking for people who have downloaded this mobile application. The UP Police ATS has also revealed that this messaging app is also being used to spread radicalisation and terrorist literature. The handers are based in the neighbouring country of Pakistan. These apps have end to end encryption systems which makes it difficult for security agencies to decode the messages.

Social media platforms were used extensively in the violent protests over the Citizenship Amendment Act. The UP police also arrested several people associated with the controversial Popular Front of India (PFI) to disclose the matter.

UP ATS arrested Inamul Haq, who was associated with Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind from Bareilly in June 2020, who confessed his role in preparing sleeper cells using social media platforms like the Telegram app.

As per information, ATS decoded the secret message - 'gosht pakao dost aayenge' (cook meat friends will come). The ATS foiled the plan by arresting two terrorists - Minhaj and Musheer from the Kakori area of ​​Lucknow on Wednesday. The duo has done a recce of the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Setu Mandir, located near Lucknow University and in the Mangal Bazar in the Alambagh area in January. They were planning to place pressure cooker bombs in the crowded areas and blast them for the maximum death toll.