Security increased in prison after Al Qaeda's threat, Atiq's killers likely to return to Pratapgarh

The security arrangements at Pratapgarh Jail have been tightened after Al-Qaeda's threat to revenge Atiq Ahmed's death.

Pratapgarh: A day after terror outfit Al-Qaeda in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) threatened attacks on India over the murder of gangster Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf, security has been tightened for their killers, Lavlesh Tiwari, Sunny Singh and Arun Maurya. The security arrangements have been increased at Pratapgarh District Jail, where the three men are likely to be brought after completion of their remand period today.

Atiq and Ashraf were shot in police custody at point range blank by the three men on April 15. The trio had posed as journalists and shot at the two gangsters during a media interaction when they were taken for medical checkup.

The AQIS called Atiq and Ashraf "martyrs" and threatened to revenge their deaths. Al-Qaeda's propaganda media wing, As-Sahab in its seven-page magazine, also promised to "liberate Muslims".

After which, efforts are reportedly being taken for stepping up security in the jail. Sources said the security measures will be further strengthened under the supervision of Special Task Force. The remand period of the trio is set to end at 5 pm today following which they are likely to be brought from Prayagraj to Pratapgarh Jail.

Earlier on April 17, the three men were shifted from Naini Central Jail to Pratapgarh Jail after police intelligence suggested that their lives were under threat. They were brought to Prayagraj for production in the chief judicial magistrate court. Now, after completion of the remand period, they are likely to be sent back to Pratapgarh Jail, said a source.

It may be mentioned here that earlier the three accused were kept separately from other prisoners in Pratapgarh Jail's lonely barracks, which lodge the dreaded criminals. Their social monitoring was done by the jail officials.