PFI training commander arrested: UP STF

A case against Rashid has been registered at Kotwali police station on several charges including criminal conspiracy, forgery and waging or attempting to wage war against the government of India, added police.

Rashid was produced before a local court of Basti on Sunday that sent him to judicial custody, said Basti SP Hemraj Meena.

According to the police, they were tipped off that PFI members were planning an attack on senior office-bearers of a Hindu organisation. In the meantime, police were informed that PFI’s training commander Rashid was going to Mumbai to take part in a meeting and impart training to youths. The police laid a trap and arrested him from Mudghat crossing.

SP said, Rashid was arrested when he was going to railway station to catch train for Mumbai. Police said that during questioning, Rashid told them that they (PFI) were targeting youths of a particular community “with strong physique” and after “brain-washing”, giving physical and weapon training are given to them so that they are prepared to trigger “incidents” in any part of the country.