Pune Tech Whiz Arrested for Terror Links: ATS Questions Local Teacher

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In a shocking development, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has questioned a Thane-based teacher in connection with the arrest of a Pune-based software engineer, Zubair Hangargekar, for his alleged links to Al Qaeda and other banned outfits. According to officials, Hangargekar's meetings with suspected radicals took place at the teacher's residence in Mumbra, Thane district. Hangargekar was arrested on October 27 for his suspected involvement with Al Qaeda and radicalisation activities. During the investigation, the ATS discovered a Pakistani contact number saved on his old phone. Further probes revealed that Hangargekar had visited the teacher's house in Mumbra, prompting the ATS to question the teacher on Tuesday. The teacher, who is not a suspect or witness in the case, cooperated with the ATS officials. The agency had earlier told a Pune court that Hangargekar delivered aggressive religious discourses in Kondhwa, Pune, and seized mobile phones containing deleted PDF files with Al Qaeda-related content, including a speech by Osama bin Laden and a magazine with IED-making instructions. An analysis of Hangargekar's old phone revealed five international numbers, including one from Pakistan, two from Saudi Arabia, and one each from Kuwait and Oman. However, the call detail records showed no calls to these numbers. The ATS continues to investigate the case, and its efforts will likely shed more light on the suspected radical activities in the region.