Sri Lankans Nabbed In India Linked To Criminal Activity

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) recently apprehended four individuals from Sri Lanka at Ahmedabad airport.

These suspects, initially under suspicion of having been linked to the notorious ISIS, are also linked various criminal activity.

Four individuals from Sri Lanka were arrested by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) at Ahmedabad airport on 20th May.

According to the latest investigations, one suspect - Mohammad Nusrat - had visited India 38 times, while another suspect, Mohammad Nafran had gone to India 40 times.

Interestingly, 27-year-old Mohammad Nafran has been identified as the son of Niyas Naufer aka 'Potta Naufer' the notorious underworld criminal who was sentenced to death for the killing of High Court Judge Sarath Ambepitiya.

The other two Sri Lankans, Mohammad Farish and Mohammad Rashdeen were arrested on their debut visit to India.

India's The Hindu reported that the four Sri Lankans who were arrested, belong to the National Thawheed Jamaath organization.

The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) reported that Mohammad Nusrat was a suspect who was previously arrested for gold and drug trafficking.

Indian media also reported that Mohammad Nafran had confessed to having been linked to drug smuggling, during his interrorgation.

The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) noted that Mohammad Rashdeen faces three cases against him under drug trafficking charges.

Indian media quoting officials report that the suspects wanted to "teach a lesson" to Jews, Christians and the members of the BJP and RSS.

Indian Police said the four men "had been in touch with a man named Abu in Pakistan through social media".

Police said after scanning their mobile phones, they found photographs of some weapons and location data of Nanachiloda near Ahmedabad.

The ATS later recovered three Pakistani pistols and 20 cartridges, as indicated in the photographs, from Nanachiloda area.

Moreover, the ISIS flag also was recovered, and the detained Sri Lankans disclosed that they were instructed to raise the flag after carrying out the attacks.