UP police picks up ex-Army doctor from Hyderabad for links with blast

Hyderabad: A Hyderabad-based former army doctor Ashfaq Alam was picked up by Uttar Pradesh police on Thursday night, in connection with the blast at a Masjid in Kushinagar district in UP. Police believe him to be a close relative of Haji Kutubuddin, the alleged mastermind of the explosion. Ashfaq resigned from the army, and he was preparing for civil services. He is residing with his wife, who is serving as a doctor in the military, and other family members

Reportedly, Ashfaq and his wife initially worked at the army hospital in Kharagpur, where they fell in love. They got married around three years ago. Recently, his wife was transferred to Hyderabad, and Ashfaq quit the service after her transfer and started preparing for civil services.

According to sources, on Monday, Ashfaq was present in the area when the blast took place at a Masjid in Bairagi Patti village. While his uncle Haji allegedly masterminded the explosion, the explosives stored inside the masjid were procured in April 2019 and police suspect Ashfaq to have brought them to the village.

UP police already caught four, including the imam of the masjid, in connection with the blast. According to reports, Haji Kutubuddin reportedly told the group of youngsters who stored the explosives inside, that something big was being planned. The explosives reportedly weigh around 10 kg.

A case was registered against seven, of which four were arrested, and three are absconding, SP Kushinagar Vinod Kumar Mishra told media persons.