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IS sympathisers planned lone wolf attacks to target RSS, forces: NIA
By Amiya Kumar Kushwaha
New Delhi, March 2 (IANS) Islamic State sympathisers were planning lone wolf attacks to target government employees, security forces, investigating agencies and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) members, National Investigation Agency (NIA) said in a chargesheet filed recently in a Delhi court.
The NIA’s revelations are mentioned in its supplementary chargesheet filed against Abdullah Basith and Abdul Qhadeer, both from Hyderabad who were involved in identifying, motivating, radicalizing the gullible Muslim youths to join hands with them in their attempt to carry out subversive activities in India.
The NIA arrested both of them on August 12, 2018. They are currently in judicial custody in Delhi’s Tihar Jail.
The NIA had earlier filed a chargesheet on July 20, 2016 against three accused — Sheikh Azhar-Ul-Islam alias Abdul Sattar Sheikh, Mohammed Farhan alias Mohammed Rafiq Shaikh and Adnan Hassan alias Mohammad Hussain.
Sheikh Azhar-Ul-Islam and Mohammed Farhan had pleaded guilty and were sentenced to seven years in jail while the trial against Hassan is still going on.
In the supplementary chargesheet filed in February, it was revealed that Basith was in touch with Matin Azizi
The US-based Matin Azizi Yarand was arrested by the FBI on May 2, 2018 for having links with IS and for planning to carry out a mass shooting at Suburban Dallas Mall. Azizi posted articles related to the “persecution” of Muslims in Kashmir, Assam and other parts of India.
According to the NIA chargesheet, during November and December 2017, Azizi provided Basith the contact of one Huzaifa who is believed to be a Pakistani national and has migrated to Afghanistan.
The NIA said in March and April 2018, Huzaifa asked Basith to procure weapons from Punjab, Delhi and Bihar. Huzaifa also advised Basith to plan for lone wolf attacks.
Huzaifa assured Basith of arranging funds for buying vehicles to carry out the lone wolf attacks. Basith expressed his intention of targeting politicians, government employees, security agencies, RSS members and the Hindus, the agency said.
Huzaifa instructed Basith to collect and keep ready some amount to fund the IS cadres in India and abroad. Basith was told that he would soon be assigned tasks.
In June-July 2018 Basith deposited Rs 49,000 in a bank account provided by Huzaifa. Thereafter, Huzaifa directed two boys to collect weapons from a man to be handed to Kashmiri boys, the agency said.
However, when the the two went to collect the weapons, they were intercepted by the Special Cell of Delhi Police. However, Delhi Police set them free after counselling them for a couple of days.
After their brief detention, Basith feared of his arrest and contacted Huzaifa to give him some Kashmiri contacts to join Islamic State of Jammu and Kashmir (ISJK), NIA said in the chargesheet.
On July 28 2018, Basith reached Delhi in his second attempt and changed his looks. However, the Kashmiri boy who was supposed to provide him the weapons was arrested by Delhi Police.
Basith went missing, but on August 12 2018, NIA arrested him in Hyderabad.
(Amiya Kumar Kushwaha can be reached at [email protected])
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.