Rajasthan ATS and Hanumangarh Police to Visit Haryana Following Terror Arrests
A joint team from the Rajasthan Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and Hanumangarh police is preparing to visit Ambala in Haryana. This move comes after the Haryana Special Task Force (STF) arrested three suspected terrorists who were in possession of an improvised explosive device (IED). The arrests have sparked significant security concerns not only in Rajasthan but also in neighboring states, prompting heightened vigilance and inter-state coordination.
Details of the Arrests and Security Implications
The arrests occurred late Friday evening in the Barara area of Ambala district. The Haryana STF conducted a targeted operation based on intelligence inputs, leading to the recovery of a two-kilogram IED from the suspects. The accused individuals have been identified as Ali Akbar, a resident of Ajmer in Rajasthan; Anas from Meerut in Uttar Pradesh; and Jangvir from Barara in Ambala district, Haryana. All three are aged between 20 and 25 years.
During preliminary questioning, the suspects allegedly confessed to planning explosions in several cities across the country. While Hanumangarh in Rajasthan has emerged as one of the potential targets, officials have clarified that this information has not been officially confirmed yet. The situation has raised alarms, with authorities emphasizing the need for thorough investigation to assess the full scope of the threat.
Investigation and Coordination Efforts
Officials in Hanumangarh stated that the joint team will work closely with Haryana police to gather detailed information on the suspects' movements, possible associates, and any connections to Rajasthan. Investigators are particularly focused on determining whether any locals were in contact with the accused and if explosive materials, such as RDX, were stored in Hanumangarh.
Arvind Bishnoi, additional SP of Hanumangarh, explained: "We need to know if the accused kept RDX in Hanumangarh and whether any locals were involved in assisting them. We will gather further details from Haryana police during our visit. Since the case is being investigated by Haryana police, we are maintaining constant coordination with them."
In addition, Rajasthan ATS additional director general Dinesh MN confirmed that a team has already been dispatched to Haryana to obtain more specific details related to the case. He noted, "Our team was sent there to obtain finer details related to the case. At present, we cannot share much as the investigation is underway."
Further Insights and Ongoing Probes
Sources revealed that the suspects had allegedly filmed certain locations in Hanumangarh and shared the videos with their handlers to identify potential targets. This has led investigators to examine whether the accused temporarily stored IED components or explosive material in the district before moving them elsewhere.
It was also disclosed that the suspects initially planned to transport RDX to Hanumangarh, but the consignment never reached the district. They subsequently altered their plans and moved towards Ambala with the IEDs, where they were ultimately arrested. This shift in strategy highlights the dynamic nature of the threat and the importance of timely intelligence and law enforcement action.
The collaboration between Rajasthan and Haryana authorities underscores the critical need for inter-state cooperation in combating terrorism. As the investigation progresses, officials are expected to release more information to address public safety concerns and prevent any potential incidents.
