ATS probes Wazid Shaikh indoctrination

The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has begun investigations to find out who indoctrinated Wazid Shaikh (25). Shaikh was traced at a place near Pune and was brought back to the city late on Tuesday. The ATS has not decided yet if Wazid can be booked for his activities. An ATS source cleared that Wazid was not indoctrinated by alleged ISIS operative Mohammad Sirajuddin (30), an MTech, who is in custody of Rajasthan ATS. Furthermore, Ayaz Sultan who hails from Kuwait and had left from his Malwani home on October 30, has left the country but has not gone to Kuwait, confirmed an ATS source.

Sultan was brought up in Kuwait. It is not clear in which country Sultan is in and the ATS is finding out if he has joined ISIS. Wazid was close to Ayaz and they are from the same neighbourhood. Also, there is no clue on Mohsin Shaikh (26), an auto driver. He is believed to be holed up in Maharashtra. The ATS is taking a legal opinion on whether Wazid can be booked under any act for his activities. Shaikh was allowed to go home in Wednesday’s wee hours and his family said he had a good sleep. Later on Wednesday, Shaikh was asked back to come to ATS office where ATS officials recorded his statements. Both Mohsin and Wazid (25) had fled their homes in Malwani on December 15. Ayaz used to work in a BPO and left the city on October 30. Wazid’s father Bashir is a lemon vendor.

Shaikh’s sister Meshruammissa over the phone said, “Wazid came home at 3 am along with ATS officials. He then went to sleep. At 9 am he woke up and then after some time went back with ATS officials. We couldn’t believe that Wazid is back. We are extremely happy and thankful.”