Mumbai crime branch detains Pachgani man over alleged Lashkar-e-Taiba links

Mumbai police's crime branch has detained a 39-year-old man from Pachgani in Satara district. The man has been identified as Mohammad Shafiq Mohammad Akbar Lone. The Mumbai crime branch claims that during investigation, the man's links to Pakistan-based banned terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba came to light. The action has caused a stir in Satara district.

The crime branch was investigating a case of a Mumbai businessman being threatened. The investigation led to Pachgani, after which police took Mohammad Shafiq Lone into custody. During questioning, information about his links to Lashkar-e-Taiba emerged, police said.

Police said the investigation also revealed that the accused had come into contact with a Pakistani handler through social media. It also emerged during the investigation that the same handler was used to threaten the Mumbai businessman. The crime branch is now trying to trace the network behind the case. Police also said the accused's brother is a commander in Lashkar-e-Taiba. Because of this, his contacts abroad and with other suspects are also being investigated.

The Mumbai crime branch has seized two mobile phones and a diary from the accused. Further investigation is underway based on information found in these electronic devices and entries in the diary. The accused's social media accounts are also being examined.

Police are now trying to establish on whose instructions the accused threatened the businessman, what contact he had with others, and who else could be involved in the case. Crime branch teams are working to trace other suspects linked to the case. Police have clarified that the claims regarding links to Lashkar-e-Taiba and contact with a Pakistani handler are, for now, claims made during the police investigation, and the full picture will become clear as the probe proceeds.