Prayagraj, 23 March (HS): The five members of the Atiq Ahmad gang detained on Tuesday for their participation in the plot that led to the murder of lawyer Umesh Pal and his two gunners have stated that the gangster's son Mohammad Asad played a crucial go-to-guy role in the planning and execution of the February 24 Dhoomanganj attack.

A young Asad Ahmed had no criminal charge against him until Feb 24. But, he is now the 'most sought' after criminal in Uttar Pradesh after leading a group of half a dozen Atiq gang members who killed Umesh Pal on a busy location in Prayagraj on February 24. Several police teams are looking for him. Asad is the third son of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed, and he is claimed to have taken over Atiq's feared gang in last year August after his two elder brothers surrendered in court.

According to police sources, these top operatives of the '227 Interstate Atiq Ahmed gang' have spilt the beans on the gang's operations, Asad's increasing status, and his participation in the death of Umesh Pal, the major witness in the murder of BSP Lawmaker Raju Pal. According to the interrogators, Asad not only planned the attack, but also communicated with the gang members and handled the logistics.

Niyaz Ahmad of Dhoomanganj, Mohammad Sajar of Dhoomanganj, Arshad Katra alias Mohammad Arshad Khan of Colonelganj, Qaish Ahmad of Dhoomanganj, and Rakesh Kumar alias Nakesh Kumar alias Lala of Kaushambi were detained on Tuesday for conspiracy and reconnaissance, according to police and STF sources.

Rakesh alias Nakesh alias Lala, who is serving the gang for last 19-years, initially met Atiq inside the Naini central jail in 2004. He was the gang's accountant, and he was in charge of distributing the pay of Atiq's domestic helpers and drivers. Under the Dowry Act, he was imprisoned at Naini Central Jail.

Lala used to serve Atiq in his barracks while incarcerated and then joined the gang after being released on bail. Other arrested gang members, including Sajar, Niyaz Ahmad, and Arshad Khan, were significant conspirators in Umesh Pal's assassination. “In the shootout, Muhammad Asad was the go-to-man as revealed by the arrested gang members. He reportedly coordinated with the shooters, specified the Vehicles to be used in the crime's execution, and even the details of how the attack would be carried out, as well as the escape route that the team members were intended to follow after doing the operation. Asad is still at large, holding a Rs 5 lakh bounty on his head,” said a police official.

According to UP Police sources, Asad used to operate from Lucknow, where he had passed out from a prestigious school but was unable to move overseas for further studies since his passport was not authorised owing to his family's criminal background. He was not on the radar of the police until he was caught on CCTV firing at Umesh Pal. Asad now carrying highest bounty on his head (Rs 5 lakh) than any of his previous family members. His father, Atiq Ahmed, is imprisoned in Gujarat's Sabarmati jail, while his uncle, Ashraf, is imprisoned in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly jail.

In their absence, Atiq's two elder sons, Umar and Ali, headed the infamous gang throughout Asad's studies. The police assume that Asad received orders from Atiq and Ashraf in jail to organise the murder of Umesh Pal, with whom the Ahmed family has a long-standing feud. Asad is believed to have rallied the other shooters and is seen in CCTV footage emerging from a vehicle and firing on Umesh Pal with a pistol.

After the murder of Umesh Pal and two gunners, the UP Police has declared a Rs 5 lakh cash reward for the capture of five major assailants: Asad, Ghulam Mohammad, Guddu Muslim, Arman, and Sabir. Everyone has fled.

In separate confrontations, police shot and killed two additional suspects, Arbaaz and Vijay Chaudhary alias Usman. They are suspected of being engaged in the killings. In addition, the STF detained Sadakat Khan, a Ghazipur resident who was reportedly engaged in the plotting of the triple killings. Authorities have charged Atiq, his wife Shaista Parveen, his brother Ashraf, and their son Mohd Asad in the crime.

Hindusthan Samachar/Abhishek Awasthi