In a major anti-terror operation, Mumbai Police have arrested two men suspected to be linked with terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen and allegedly involved in circulation of fake Indian currency, police said today. They had also carried out recce of various vital installations across the country. One of them was in close contact with his handlers in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) and also with intelligence agencies of the neighbouring country, police said here. Farooq Naiku (37) and Mohammed Talukdar (32) were apprehended on January 16 from a guest house in Masjid Bunder, south Mumbai, with fake notes having a face value of Rs 27,200, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Himanshu Roy said. They were produced before a local court the next day and remanded in police custody till January 23. Since the duo were involved in terror activities, they would be booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, police said. During interrogation of the accused, it was revealed that Farooq was an active member of Hizbul Mujahideen, a PoK- based terror outfit active in Jammu and Kashimri, and was operating mainly in the border state, Roy said. Farooq, born and brought up in JK’s Baramulla district, has been staying in neighbouring Navi Mumbai for last one-and-a half-year, posing as a dry fruits trader. Farooq and Mohammed were actively involved in fake currency circulation, narcotics trade, hawala and terror activities, he claimed. Farooq was staying in Kopar Khairane, a Navi Mumbai suburb, and selling dry fruits at APMC market imported from Pakistan, Afghanistan and JK. Some CDs, computer CPU and hard disks were seized after a thorough search at his residence, police said. Farooq has been to Pakistan and PoK via Wagah border on several occasions since 2001. Officially, he has crossed the Indo-Pak border three times, they said. He has been in contact with handlers of Hizbul Mujahideen and also Pakistan’s intelligence agencies. The accused has provided specific addresses of his handlers in Pakistan and his visit dates, police said. PTI
