Sambhal man jailed in Pak, police probe his connections, question kin

Usman's family informed police that about 13 years ago, he left home claiming he was going to Delhi for an air conditioner repair course, but he never returned

- Deepak Lavania

Usman is incarcerated in Lahore. This information was provided by Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to the Sambhal police.

Over a dozen people, including family members of Usman were questioned on Sunday, police sources said. The probe follows instructions of the Ministry of External Affairs.

Sambhal superintendent of police Krishna Kumar Bishnoi stated that primary investigation revealed that Usman had been missing since 2012.

"In 2015, Delhi's Special Cell accused him of being involved in terrorist activities, but he was not apprehended. He was declared a fugitive in 2016 by Delhi police."

"Usman had joined AQIS (Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent) along with his associates. One of his associates from Deepa Sarai, Maulana Asim Umar, was previously reported to have been killed in a US drone strike in the Helmand province of Afghanistan on September 23, 2019," the SP said.

"The information about his imprisonment in Lahore's jail has now come to light. Investigations are underway to understand how he reached Pakistan. We are also trying to trace his connections," the officer said.

Usman's family members informed police that about 13 years ago, he left home claiming he was going to Delhi for an air conditioner repair course, but he never returned.

Usman's brother, Furman, mentioned that he is unaware of how his brother ended up in Pakistan.