Two suspected Islamic State sympathisers arrested from Kanpur and neighbouring Unnao were taken to Lucknow on Wednesday by a team of the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad for further questioning.
According to police, these youths got hooked to the Islamic State bosses with the help of social media. ADG (law and order) Daljeet Chaudhary said, Mohammed Imran and Faizal Khan who were arrested on Tuesday evening, had been active on various social platforms.
The cops have recovered two lap tops and literature associated with the IS from the nabbed suspects.
Investigation by the ATS, Special Task Force and local cops have revealed that these IS modules were planning a major terror attacks in Lucknow and nearby districts after March 27.
Chaudhary said the police had received the information that terrorist were hiding at some places in the state. The operation was jointly done by the ATS and the STF.
Another suspect Azhar in Kanpur eluded cops before they could nab him.
Investigators are examining the laptops and other materials seized from the suspects. The ADG said, based on the evidence available, the suspects' link with terrorists outfits operating in Syria and Iraq could not be ruled out.
The state government has informed the NIA and home ministry about the development. Earlier in the day, a suspected IS man, Mohammed Saifullah, was killed in Lucknow after 12-hours long encounter with the security forces.
Uttar Pradesh, where the assembly polls are under way, has been put on high alert after the latest development.
