The name Assadullah Khan doing the rounds, arousing curiosity among residents of First Lancer

Hyderabad: It was just a normal day for the residents of First Lancer road near Masab Tank in the city on Thursday. But uneasiness grows after National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Khan also known as Abu Sufiyan on Wednesday alleging an operative of Lashkar-e-Taiba.

With the arrest of 57-year-old Assadullah, people started holding discussions in small groups, near around the three-storied building which belongs to Asadullah Khan. Khan works in Saudi Arabia.

NIA alleged that he was involved in plot to target some persons in Bangalore cracked in August 2012. Khan is accused no. 24 in the case and is charged for his role in the criminal conspiracy to kill prominent religious leaders, journalists and police officials in Bangalore and Hubli city.

According to Police, Asadullah was a member of Saidabad-based fundamentalist outfit Darsgah-jihad-o-shahadat and was known to slain ISI agent Fasiuddin, who was involved in several offences including killing of Hindutva leaders and conspiracies following Babri Masjid demolition.

Asadullah is accused of participating in a meeting in Riyadh in 2011, which saw presence of LeT members from Hyderabad Abdul Bari (accused in 2002 Sai Baba temple blast case), Siddique bin Osman alias Abu Hanzala (accused in a CCS Hyderabad case) and Furkhan Bhai alias Abdullah. Another accused from Hyderabad is Abdul Rehman or Farathullah Ghori who is presently based in Karachi, and a wanted accused in the 2002 Akshardham temple attack in Gujarat.

Assadullah who was on the run caught at the Mumbai International Airport on Wednesday by the Immigration officials in connection with the charges of attempt to murder, illegally acquiring firearms and preparing to wage war against India.

According to NIE Hyderabad, a shopkeeper from nearby Assadullah house when enquired about him acknowledged an acquaintance in a hush-hush manner, refusing to divulge any details. “There is no one at home,” said two children peeping out from the first floor window of the house that is guarded by a huge iron gate which disallows any passersby to cast a quick look.