Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) has threatened to attack India to avenge the murder of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf Ahmad. In its Eid message, the terror outfit expressed anger over the killing of Atiq Ahmad and his brother and threatened revenge, calling Atiq and his brother Ashraf "martyrs".
The message was posted in a seven-page magazine, released by As-Sahab, the organisation’s propaganda media wing, as per a report by Live Mint. It also promised to “liberate” Muslims in India and elsewhere.
Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were shot dead point-blank on live television by three men posing as journalists as officials of the Uttar Pradesh Police were escorting them for a medical checkup in Prayagraj.
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The gunmen — Lovelesh Tiwari, Mohit and Arun Kumar Maurya — were immediately overpowered without much resistance. They have been charged under IPC sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder) and under the Arms Act. A court has sent them to police remand until April 23.
Slogans raised near Patna mosque
Meanwhile, slogans in praise of Atiq Ahmed and Ashraf were heard on Friday close to the largest mosque in Bihar's capital Patna. In a viral video, a section of the crowd can be seen chanting slogans in praise of the slain men and denouncing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
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A statement by Mohd Faisal Imam, who heads the managing committee of the Jama Masjid here, shared by the Patna district administration on social media, in an attempt to keep passions under control, especially in view of the Eid ul Fitr festivities on Saturday.
“The matter relating to Atiq Ahmed pertains to Uttar Pradesh. In Bihar, the Nitish Kumar government has ensured excellent law and order”, Imam told reporters who had made a dash to the crowded mosque.
