‘Handed over son to NIA, have faith in god’

Danish Ansari (20), a suspected Indian Mujahideen operative arrested from Darbhanga, Bihar, on Monday by the National Investigation Agency, is primarily accused of giving shelter to IM founder Yasin Bhatkal during his stay at Darbhanga.

Though Danish was not directly involved in any IM operation, he is said to have worked as a "conduit and messenger" in recruiting and indoctrinating youth in Bihar.

His father, Jafeer Ansari, who runs a footwear shop on Laheriasarai's pavements, claimed that the family willingly handed over Danish to the NIA team after the agency held a meeting with the community on Sunday.

The NIA took adequate precautions to avoid community displeasure and went by standard practice of taking transit remand.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had earlier objected to police teams from outside the state not taking transit remand from nearest court in such cases.

Danish was taken to Delhi by a flight from Patna on Tuesday. Danish faced non-bailable warrant issued by a special NIA court in Delhi in connection with a terror case (RC 06/ 2012) and Delhi Police's Special Cell case (54/ 2011).

An NIA official said: "He is wanted in other terror cases that took place across the country in recent years. One of the accused in the Chinnaswamy stadium blast and Germany Bakery cases revealed Danish's links with Bhatkal."

His father said: "My son is extremely religious and offers namaz five times a day. He spends most of his time at the mosque and madarsa and earns some money by teaching village students."

Jafeer said his son has never travelled outside Bihar and that the NIA has probably picked up the 'wrong Danish'.

"Six months ago, they picked up a boy named Danish and let him go after some time. When the NIA came asking for my son, we readily cooperated and handed over Danish. No arrest has taken place," he added.

... contd.

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