Pushparaja Osman : Sri Lanka Police Arrests ISIS Handler, India Detainees

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Sri Lanka police arrests ISIS handler
2. ISIS suspects detained in India captured by Sri Lanka police

Sri Lankan Police have apprehended Pushparaja Osman, suspected of being the handler of four nationals arrested in India for alleged ties to the banned Islamic State (ISIS). Osman was captured in Colombo, following a cash reward announcement for information on his whereabouts. The four individuals were detained at Ahmedabad airport by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad after flying from Colombo to Chennai. While investigations are ongoing, authorities are vigilant about potential ISIS activities after the 2019 Easter Sunday attack. The arrested individuals include a businessman, a son of a notorious criminal, a former cart puller, and a three-wheeler driver suspected of drug trafficking.

**Arrest of Suspected ISIS Handler in Colombo**

In a recent development in Colombo, Sri Lankan Police have successfully apprehended the suspected handler of four individuals who were arrested at Ahmedabad airport in India for alleged links with the banned Islamic State (ISIS) outfit. The suspect, Pushparaja Osman, aged 46, was taken into custody by the Criminal Investigation Department in Colombo on Friday.

**Search for Wanted Suspect**

Prior to Osman’s arrest, Sri Lankan Police had issued a cash reward of Rs. 2 million for any credible information leading to his whereabouts. A wanted notice and a video seeking information from the public were released by the authorities in their efforts to track down the suspect.

**Connection to Ahmedabad Airport Incident**

It is believed that Osman had been in telephonic contact with the four Sri Lankans who were arrested at Ahmedabad airport by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad. The individuals had boarded an Indigo flight from Colombo to Chennai on May 19, raising suspicions of possible ISIS links.

**Ongoing Investigations**

While the police have made significant progress in the case, they have yet to confirm any direct links between the arrested individuals and ISIS. Police spokesperson Nihal Thalduwa stated that the investigation is ongoing to establish if the four suspects had promoted ISIS ideology within Sri Lanka.

**Heightened Security Measures**

Following the tragic Easter Sunday attack in 2019 that claimed the lives of over 270 people, Sri Lankan authorities have been vigilant in monitoring potential terrorist activities on the island. The recent arrests in Gujarat have prompted a high-powered operation to delve deeper into the connections and activities of the arrested individuals.

**Detailed Information on the Arrested Individuals**

Among the four Sri Lankans arrested in Gujarat, Mohammed Nusrat is a businessman dealing in telecommunication devices and electrical equipment. Another suspect, Mohammad Nafran, has ties to a notorious underworld criminal and has been involved in various criminal activities.

**Suspects’ Backgrounds**

The remaining two suspects, Mohammad Faris and Mohammad Rashdeen, have also been linked to criminal activities in Colombo. Faris, a former cart puller, has a history of arrests by the Colombo Crimes Division, while Rashdeen, a three-wheeler driver, is suspected to be involved in drug trafficking.

**Continued Vigilance**

Security forces in Sri Lanka remain vigilant in monitoring potential threats posed by individuals with suspected links to terrorist organizations. The recent arrests have underscored the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies in addressing security challenges and ensuring the safety of the public.