In a significant breakthrough, Sri Lankan Police have apprehended Pushparaja Osman, the suspected handler of four nationals recently arrested in Ahmedabad, India, for alleged ISIS links. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) took Osman, 46, into custody on Friday in Colombo. This arrest follows an intense manhunt and is expected to provide crucial insights into the activities of the detained individuals.
Prior to Osman’s arrest, the police had announced a cash reward of Rs. 2 million for any credible information leading to his capture. This move underscored the urgency and seriousness of the investigation. Additionally, the police had issued a wanted notice and released a video appeal seeking public assistance in locating Osman.
According to police sources, Osman had made telephone contact with the four men arrested at Ahmedabad airport, linking him directly to the case. The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad had arrested these four Sri Lankans, who had travelled from Colombo to Chennai on an Indigo flight on May 19. The arrests were made as part of a broader investigation into suspected ISIS activities in the region.
Unverified Links to ISIS
While the arrests have raised serious concerns, Police spokesman Nihal Thalduwa indicated that investigations have yet to confirm the suspects’ direct links to ISIS. He remarked, “If they had promoted the ISIS ideology in Sri Lanka is yet to be established,” highlighting the ongoing nature of the investigation and the need for concrete evidence.
In response to the arrests in Gujarat, Sri Lankan authorities launched a high-powered operation to investigate the suspects. This action reflects the heightened vigilance in the wake of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, which killed over 270 people and were attributed to a local jihadi group with suspected ISIS connections. The authorities are determined to leave no stone unturned in their efforts to prevent any recurrence of such extremist activities.
Background of Suspects
Among those arrested in Gujarat was Mohammed Nusrat, a businessman involved in importing telecommunication devices and electrical equipment from countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Dubai. Operating within Colombo, Nusrat’s business activities have now come under intense scrutiny.
Another suspect, Mohammad Nafran, 27, has a notorious family connection. He is the son of Niyas Naufer, also known as ‘Potta Naufer,’ an infamous underworld figure sentenced to death for the murder of High Court Judge Sarath Ambepitiya. This connection adds a layer of complexity to the investigation, given Naufer’s criminal history.
The other two suspects are 35-year-old Mohammad Faris from Maligawatte, Colombo, and 43-year-old Mohammad Rashdeen from Colombo 13. Faris, who worked as a ‘Nattami’ or cart puller in Pettah, had been arrested twice in 2023 by the Colombo Crimes Division, on March 11 and November 1.
On May 21, Faris’s close associate, Hameed Amir, was also arrested by the Terrorist Investigations Division, further expanding the scope of the investigation. Faris had travelled to Chennai, India, on May 19, shortly before his arrest.
The other suspect, Mohammad Rashdeen, is a three-wheeler driver suspected of involvement in trafficking crystal meth, also known as ICE. Rashdeen had previously been arrested by the Foreshore Police on September 16, 2022, but was later released on bail. His alleged involvement in drug trafficking adds another dimension to the investigation, suggesting possible links between criminal activities and extremist ideologies.
Ongoing Investigations
Authorities are meticulously piecing together the backgrounds and potential ISIS connections of the suspects. The comprehensive nature of the investigation reflects a broader strategy to understand and mitigate the risks posed by extremist activities. The Sri Lankan government, in collaboration with international partners, is taking all necessary precautions to prevent any resurgence of ISIS influence on the island.
The arrest of Pushparaja Osman marks a crucial development in the ongoing investigation into suspected ISIS links involving Sri Lankan nationals. As authorities continue to delve into the suspects’ connections and activities, this case highlights the persistent threat of extremism and the importance of international cooperation in combating terrorism. The vigilance and swift action by Sri Lankan police underscore their commitment to maintaining national security and preventing the spread of extremist ideologies.
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