The people of Odisha on Saturday were taken aback after a Kashmiri youth with suspected terror links was arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha Police Crime Branch from Jajpur district. The accused has been identified as Sayed Ishaan Bukhari.
Preliminary investigations reveal that Bukhari was in touch with suspicious persons in Kerala and some Pakistani nationals too. Apart from this, Bukhari had married at least 6 to 7 girls from various parts of India including Kashmir, UP, Maharashtra, and Odisha. He was also active on various websites/ apps and was in romantic relationships with many girls impersonating as a doctor with international degrees.
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Bukhari and Terror Angle?
Senior STF officials said that the accused had some links with anti-national elements, but his exact role needs a detailed investigation.
“We have ample evidence against the accused being a fraudster. It is very early to say anything regarding his involvement as far as terror angle is concerned, and it is being scrutinised. However, there are some links and we do not have much evidence in this regard as of now,” said STF IG, JN Pankaj.
The accused is involved in several cases of cheating by impersonating as doctor, an officer of PMO, or a close associate of some high NIA officials. The accused has been staying in the Jajpur district since 2018. After a case was registered in Kashmir, he was frequently changing locations across the country. Crime Branch officials informed that the accused had some links with ISIS as we have some communication links like chats. A detailed investigation is needed on what kind of links he had with the Kerala-based anti-national elements or organisation.
The senior cop further said, “We will bring the accused on a seven-day remand for a detailed investigation, “said Pankaj.
Was The Accused A Pakistani Spy?
It is too early to say, but there were some links with Pakistan and it will be verified said the senior Odisha Police official. “It cannot be ruled out that he was a Pakistani spy. But as of now, we do not have much evidence. However, we are in touch with NIA and we are working together on this,” Pankaj added.
Sources said that either the accused or his father had some case in Punjab as well. Senior officials informed that the Odisha Crime Branch is also in touch with Punjab Police and Kashmir Police and a joint interrogation can also be held. Sources said that no arms and ammunition were seized from the accused during the raid.
Mobile Phones To Examined
Four mobile phones seized from the accused will be sent for examination to collect information about chats and links.