A Lucknow court has sentenced three terrorists associated with the Al-Qaeda-affiliated group Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind to life imprisonment for planning serial blasts in Uttar Pradesh and other parts of India. The convicted individuals, Minhaj Ahmad, Musiruddin, and Tauheed Ahmad Shah, were found guilty under various laws including the Indian Penal Code, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Explosive Substances Act, and the Arms Act. The terrorists were part of an Al-Qaeda module in Lucknow that aimed to carry out bomb blasts and attacks on government buildings and public places.
The court’s judgment highlighted that the accused conspired against India’s sovereignty and collected weapons and explosives for terrorist activities. Musiruddin and Minhaj received life imprisonment under specific sections of the IPC and UAPA, while Tauheed Ahmad Shah was also sentenced to life imprisonment under relevant sections of the IPC. The sentences will run concurrently, with credit for time served during the trial deducted from the total term. The investigation, initially led by the Uttar Pradesh ATS and later taken over by the NIA, involved extensive evidence gathering and witness testimonies.
The NIA’s probe revealed that the terrorists had pledged allegiance to the banned outfit, disseminated extremist material online, and recruited individuals for terrorist acts. The court’s order emphasized the seriousness of their actions, leading to the imposition of stringent punishment. The case underscores the ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and safeguard national security against such threats.
