The Uttar Pradesh police is probing whether an incident at the Gorakhnath temple was a terror attack. A man reportedly identified as Ahmed Murtaza Abbasi attacked police personnel with a machete outside the temple in Gorakhpur on April 3.
Gorakhnath temple is headed by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Three cops were injured in the attack. The attacker is reportedly a graduate from IIT Bombay, and police seized a laptop, phone and a ticket from him.
In unverified videos floating on social media, people were seen throwing rocks at the man, in an apparent bid to stop him.
Prashant Kumar, ADG Law and Order, said, "ATS is probing the incident. ATS and STF are the specialised agencies deputed to probe the case. It appears as if this is part of a larger plot. Keeping the gravity of the incident in mind, we are investigating. The person raised a religious slogan and tried to enter a protected place. He attacked deployed police personnel with a machete. Some people were seriously injured."
Awanish Awasthi, additional chief secretary, Home, said, "The possibility of this person having terror links can't be rejected. The possibility of this attack being part of a terror plot is being probed. Chief Minister has announced Rs 5 lakh reward for the 3 policemen - 2 PAC constables and a Home Guard constable - who stopped the man at the gate, and suffered serious injuries."