Pune Anti-Terror Squad tightens security after IS threats

Pune: The Anti-Terrorism Squad headquarters' security was tightened after ATS Pune and Mumbai offices received threat letters allegedly made by the terror group Islamic State (IS), an official stated on Wednesday.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Branch) Shrikant Phatak told the reporters that the letter was targeted at Assistant Commissioner of Police (ATS-Pune) Bhanupratap Barge stating that he and his family would be eliminated.

"The (two) threat letters were sent to the Mumbai Police Commissonerate and an English newspaper office by post 12 days ago from Mulund and Dharavi. We received these four days ago after which we launched a probe," Phatak told the media.

The letter envelopes comprised the postal marks of Mulund and Dharavi, the Mumbai police said. However, they were unclear upon the similarity of contents of the letters and sender details.

Barge's name came to the limelight when he prevented the radicalisation of the 16-year-old Muslim girl who was allegedly fascinated by the ideology of the IS.

The Pune-based 16-year old who made 200 contacts around the world through the internet was reportedly radicalized by her IS contacts abroad. They brainwashed her to go to Syria. The Class XI student was later questioned by agents of the Pune Anti-Terrorism Squad and sent to a de-radicalisation centre.

(picture courtesy: http://en.academic.ru/)

(Inputs from Agencies)