BHOPAL: In a major operation, Madhya Pradesh Anti-terrorist squad (ATS) have arrested around 10 member of the radical Islamist group, Hizb-ut- Tahrir (HuT) from Bhopal. Those arrested includes son of Bhopal gas activist also, said sources. Some arrestes were made in Hyderabad also.
“We have picked up some members associated with HUT after confirmed links,” said an officer in ATS.
Officials say Hizb ut-Tahrir, had avoided global scrutiny while spreading its ideology, and is becoming a more dangerous ‘terrorist group’ than the ISIS and its presence in South Asia should be a cause for concern for India, foreign agencies report. It has spread its ideology and support base in nearly 50 countries, said the report. It is also alleged that HuT has an armed wing called Harakat ul-Muhojirinfi Britaniya that is training its cadres in chemical, bacteriological, and biological warfare.
Founded in Jerusalem in 1952 and headquartered in London, the group has branches in Central Asia, Europe, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesia, where it has managed to garner great influence. In South Asia, HuT has a significant presence in Pakistan and Bangladesh.
HuT also claims to have organised a demonstration in 2010 at Batla House in Delhi in protest against Israel’s alleged atrocities. This was said to be one of the last reported activity in India, according to security experts.