Software Engineer Arrested in Pune with Al-Qaeda Links and Bin Laden Materials

Zuber Hungargekar was taken into custody by authorities on Monday.

A software engineer apprehended by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in Pune this week over suspected Al-Qaeda connections allegedly maintained a collection of terror outfit founder Osama Bin Laden's speeches.

According to sources, investigators discovered an Urdu translation of a Bin Laden speech among items seized from Zuber Hungargekar following his arrest by Maharashtra's Anti-Terror Squad on Monday.

Authorities also confiscated photographs showing Hungargekar handling an AK-47 rifle and manufacturing explosive devices. Sources indicated that investigations are continuing to determine his involvement in radicalizing young individuals.

Hungargekar, who had been under ATS surveillance since the previous month, was arrested in Kondhwa area and charged under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The Special UAPA Court has placed him in police custody until November 4.

In court proceedings, police alleged that Hungargekar participated in anti-national activities and was involved in planning terrorist attacks in Maharashtra and other urban centers.

Sources revealed that Hungargekar, originally from Solapur, possesses advanced education with expertise in software testing and database development. Prior to his arrest, he was employed at a software IT company in Kalyani Nagar, where he received substantial compensation.

Recently, the ATS conducted extensive raids across 25-26 locations throughout the Kondhwa area as part of an investigation into terror financing operations.

After analyzing materials collected during these raids, investigators uncovered multiple indications of Hungarkar's suspicious activities, according to sources.

The digital evidence and documents obtained are undergoing thorough examination to identify any additional individuals potentially connected to this network.