Murtaza was in contact with Islamic State fighters, sympathisers: UP ATS

An ATS spokesman said Murtaza was quizzed by the agency which also analysed the data of various electronic devices recovered on the identification of the accused.

"His social media accounts as well as financial transactions from bank accounts of Murtaza and e-wallet were also analysed," he said.

The spokesman said along with the ISIS fighters and sympathisers, Murtaza was also in contact with ISIS propaganda activist Mehdi Masroor Biswas, who was arrested by Bengaluru police, through a social media account.

"He was completely influenced with the 'jihadi' literature, audio and video promoting terror ideology related to ISIS and radical preachers of various terrorists organisations," he said.

He claimed that the accused took oath before the preacher of a terror outfit Ansar-ul-Tauheed in 2013, which later merged with ISIS in 2014.

"After this the accused again took oath of ISIS in 2020," he said. The spokesman said, "From his bank accounts Murtaza sent around Rs 8.5 lakh to different countries in Europe and America through various organisations of the ISIS to help the terrorists organisation in its terror activities."

He claimed that with an aim of executing a act of terror Murtaza thoroughly read and saw the literature and video related to various weapons like AK 47 rifle, M4 carbine and Missile Technology.

"He even practiced with an air rifle," he said. The spokesman said to execute the act of terror Murtaza attacked Gorakhnath temple in lone wolf attack style and the security personnel with a sharp-edged weapon in an attempt to snatch their fire-arms.

"The accused planned to snatch the weapon of the security personnel and execute a major incident," he said.

Notably, on April 3, Murtaza, a resident of Civil Lines in Gorakhpur, attacked the Gorakhnath temple and injured three personnel with a sharp-edged weapon.

He was later overpowered by the security personnel and arrested by police.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had ordered a probe by the ATS and Special Task Force (STF). Along with other sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act has also been slapped against him.

(With UNI inputs)