The report, which was submitted on September 22, also claims that the outfit had conspired to establish Islamic rule in India by committing terrorist acts as a part of violent jihad.
Tag: NIA
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PFI got ‘concealed’ foreign funds through members based abroad: ED
The federal agency on Thursday arrested four members of the Popular Front of India (PFI) during the raids, led by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
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Nationwide crackdown on PFI, 106 arrested
By Express News Service
CHENNAI/NEW DELHI/BENGALURU/VIJAYAWADA/KOCHI: In one of their biggest joint operations against terror funding and terror activities, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday arrested 106 activists of the Popular Front of India (PFI) from 93 locations across 15 states, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Telangana, Assam, Andhra Pradesh and Delhi even as top officials met to discuss a likely ban on the organisation.
During the coordinated nationwide operation, which began at around 3:30 am, PFI Chairman O M A Salam, national general secretary V P Nasarudeen Elamaram and the organisation’s Delhi unit head Parvez Ahmed, among others, were taken into custody. Salam was picked up from his home at Kerala’s Malappuram, after the place was searched. Ahmed’s residence in Delhi’s Jamia Nagar was also raided.
Raids were also carried out in Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, West Bengal, Bihar and Manipur. The NIA said 45 of the total arrests were made by the agency. Even as the raids and arrests were underway, Union Home Minister Amit Shah met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla and NIA Director-General Dinkar Gupta to discuss details of the case, the likely fallout and implications.
“While 19 accused have been arrested from Kerala, 11 have been arrested from Tamil Nadu, 7 from Karnataka, 4 from Andhra Pradesh, 2 from Rajasthan, 1 each from UP and Telangana,” an NIA statement read. Among the arrested leaders in Kerala were PFI’s state president C P Mohammed Basheer, national council member P Koya and senior functionaries Jaseer K P, Shafeer K P, E Abu Backer, E M Abdul Rahiman, Najumudeen, Sainuddeen T S, Yahiya Koya Thangal, K Muhammedali, C T Sulaiman, P K Usman, Karamana Ashraf Moulavi, Sadiq Ahmed, Shihas, Ansari P and M M Mujeeb.
The 11 PFI functionaries arrested in Tamil Nadu were identified as Syed Ishaaq, Advocate Khalid Mohammed, A M Idris, Mohamed Abuthahir, S Khaja Maideen, Yasar Arafat, Barakathullah, Fayaz Ahamed, M Mohammed Ali Jinnah, Mohammed Yousuf and A S Ismail.
In Karnataka, the NIA, with help of local police searched suspects’ locations in Bengaluru and Mangaluru and arrested Anis Ahmed, Afsar Pasha, Abdul Wahid Sait, Yasar Arafath Hasan, Mohammed Shakif alias Shakif, Mohammed Farooq ur Rahman and Shahid Nasir.
Sources said documents, cash, sharp-edged weapons and large number of digital devices were seized during the raids. The NIA is investigating a total of 19 PFI-related cases, including five registered on Thursday.
CHENNAI/NEW DELHI/BENGALURU/VIJAYAWADA/KOCHI: In one of their biggest joint operations against terror funding and terror activities, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday arrested 106 activists of the Popular Front of India (PFI) from 93 locations across 15 states, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Telangana, Assam, Andhra Pradesh and Delhi even as top officials met to discuss a likely ban on the organisation.
During the coordinated nationwide operation, which began at around 3:30 am, PFI Chairman O M A Salam, national general secretary V P Nasarudeen Elamaram and the organisation’s Delhi unit head Parvez Ahmed, among others, were taken into custody. Salam was picked up from his home at Kerala’s Malappuram, after the place was searched. Ahmed’s residence in Delhi’s Jamia Nagar was also raided.
Raids were also carried out in Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, West Bengal, Bihar and Manipur. The NIA said 45 of the total arrests were made by the agency. Even as the raids and arrests were underway, Union Home Minister Amit Shah met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla and NIA Director-General Dinkar Gupta to discuss details of the case, the likely fallout and implications.
“While 19 accused have been arrested from Kerala, 11 have been arrested from Tamil Nadu, 7 from Karnataka, 4 from Andhra Pradesh, 2 from Rajasthan, 1 each from UP and Telangana,” an NIA statement read. Among the arrested leaders in Kerala were PFI’s state president C P Mohammed Basheer, national council member P Koya and senior functionaries Jaseer K P, Shafeer K P, E Abu Backer, E M Abdul Rahiman, Najumudeen, Sainuddeen T S, Yahiya Koya Thangal, K Muhammedali, C T Sulaiman, P K Usman, Karamana Ashraf Moulavi, Sadiq Ahmed, Shihas, Ansari P and M M Mujeeb.
The 11 PFI functionaries arrested in Tamil Nadu were identified as Syed Ishaaq, Advocate Khalid Mohammed, A M Idris, Mohamed Abuthahir, S Khaja Maideen, Yasar Arafat, Barakathullah, Fayaz Ahamed, M Mohammed Ali Jinnah, Mohammed Yousuf and A S Ismail.
In Karnataka, the NIA, with help of local police searched suspects’ locations in Bengaluru and Mangaluru and arrested Anis Ahmed, Afsar Pasha, Abdul Wahid Sait, Yasar Arafath Hasan, Mohammed Shakif alias Shakif, Mohammed Farooq ur Rahman and Shahid Nasir.
Sources said documents, cash, sharp-edged weapons and large number of digital devices were seized during the raids. The NIA is investigating a total of 19 PFI-related cases, including five registered on Thursday.
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PFI Patna case: NIA conducts raids in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Bihar
By PTI
NEW DELHI: The NIA on Thursday conducted raids in multiple states in connection with the PFI conspiracy case of Patna seizing “incriminating” materials, a spokesperson for the federal agency here said.
The searches were carried out at 20 locations linked with the accused and suspects in Nalanda, Katihar, Arariya, Madhubani, Patna, Vaishali, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, and Saran districts of Bihar, the spokesperson said.
The National Investigation Agency were also conducted searches in the Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu and South Kannada district in Karnataka in the case pertaining to the involvement of Popular Front of India (PFI) in “anti-national activities”.
“During the searches conducted today at the premises of accused and suspects, incriminating materials, including digital devices and documents, have been seized,” the spokesperson said.
NEW DELHI: The NIA on Thursday conducted raids in multiple states in connection with the PFI conspiracy case of Patna seizing “incriminating” materials, a spokesperson for the federal agency here said.
The searches were carried out at 20 locations linked with the accused and suspects in Nalanda, Katihar, Arariya, Madhubani, Patna, Vaishali, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, and Saran districts of Bihar, the spokesperson said.
The National Investigation Agency were also conducted searches in the Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu and South Kannada district in Karnataka in the case pertaining to the involvement of Popular Front of India (PFI) in “anti-national activities”.
“During the searches conducted today at the premises of accused and suspects, incriminating materials, including digital devices and documents, have been seized,” the spokesperson said.
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NIA announces Rs 25 lakh reward on fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim
By PTI
MUMBAI: The National Investigation Agency has announced a cash reward of Rs 25 lakh for any information leading to the arrest of fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, a key accused in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, an official said on Thursday.
The probe agency has also announced a cash reward of Rs 20 lakh on Ibrahim’s close aide Shakeel Shaikh alias Chhota Shakeel, and Rs 15 lakh each on associates Haji Anees alias Anees Ibrahim Shaikh, Javed Patel alias Javed Chikna and Ibrahim Mushtaq Abdul Razzak Memon alias Tiger Memon, he said.
All of them are wanted accused in the case of 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts.
The official said the NIA has sought information about them which could lead to their arrest.
The agency had in February registered a case against the ‘D company’.
Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar is designated a global terrorist by the United Nation runs an international terrorist network, namely D-Company, with his close associates like Anees Ibrahim Shaikh, Chhota Shakeel, Javed Chikhna and Tiger Memon, among others, the NIA said in a statement.
They are involved in various terrorism-criminal activities such as arms smuggling, narco-terrorism, underworld criminal syndicate, money laundering, circulation of FICN, unauthorised possession/ acquisition of key assets for raising terror funds and working in active collaboration with international terrorist organisations including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Al Qaeda (AQ), the statement said.
MUMBAI: The National Investigation Agency has announced a cash reward of Rs 25 lakh for any information leading to the arrest of fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, a key accused in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, an official said on Thursday.
The probe agency has also announced a cash reward of Rs 20 lakh on Ibrahim’s close aide Shakeel Shaikh alias Chhota Shakeel, and Rs 15 lakh each on associates Haji Anees alias Anees Ibrahim Shaikh, Javed Patel alias Javed Chikna and Ibrahim Mushtaq Abdul Razzak Memon alias Tiger Memon, he said.
All of them are wanted accused in the case of 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts.
The official said the NIA has sought information about them which could lead to their arrest.
The agency had in February registered a case against the ‘D company’.
Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar is designated a global terrorist by the United Nation runs an international terrorist network, namely D-Company, with his close associates like Anees Ibrahim Shaikh, Chhota Shakeel, Javed Chikhna and Tiger Memon, among others, the NIA said in a statement.
They are involved in various terrorism-criminal activities such as arms smuggling, narco-terrorism, underworld criminal syndicate, money laundering, circulation of FICN, unauthorised possession/ acquisition of key assets for raising terror funds and working in active collaboration with international terrorist organisations including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Al Qaeda (AQ), the statement said.
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Shaurya Chakra awardee Balwinder Singh Sandhu’s killer and two aides arrested
By Express News Service
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab police on Tuesday arrested a key accused in the Shaurya Chakra awardee Balwinder Singh Sandhu murder case.
Gurwinder Singh alias Baba alias Raja, a proclaimed offender (PO) of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) was arrested at Tarn Taran along with his two aides Sandeep Singh alias Kala of Amritsar and Gurpreet Singh alias Randhawa.
The police recovered one hand-grenade, one RDX-IED, two .30 bore pistols along with magazines and 13 live cartridges, 635 grams heroin, 100 grams opium, Rs 36.90 lakhs drug money, and one Mitsubishi Lancer car from their possession.
Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav said that Gurwinder Singh had played a key role in the murder by providing weapons to the hitman. A probe revealed that he is a close associate of notorious gangsters Sukhpreet Singh alias Harry Chatha and Sukhmeetpal Singh alias Sukh Bikhariwal a prime suspect in the case.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ferozepur Range Jaskaran Singh said that following reliable inputs that Gurwinder Baba along with his aide Sandeep on the way to Khadoor Sahib, the Tarn Taran police intercepted the white Lancer car in which both were travelling and managed to arrest them. Two pistols with loaded magazines, 635 grams of heroin, 100-gram opium and Rs 3.90 lakh drug money were recovered from the car, he added.
He said that, later, following the disclosures of Gurwinder Baba, police recovered one hand grenade, one RDX-IED and Rs 33 lakhs drug money from the location pinpointed in the area of Police District Batala. Preliminary investigations suggest that the recovered explosives, arms, and drugs were smuggled via drones from Pakistan, he claimed.
SSP Tarn Taran Ranjit Singh Dhillon said that a case has been registered under sections 18, 21, 25, and 29 of the NDPS Act, sections 25(6) and 25(7) of the Arms Act, sections 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substance Act and sections 10, 11 and 12 of the Aircraft Act at Police Station Verowal. He said that these arrests are likely to lead to further disclosures of cross-border smuggling modules. Further investigations are on, he added.
The NIA had last year filed a supplementary charge sheet against three Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) terrorists in this connection.
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab police on Tuesday arrested a key accused in the Shaurya Chakra awardee Balwinder Singh Sandhu murder case.
Gurwinder Singh alias Baba alias Raja, a proclaimed offender (PO) of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) was arrested at Tarn Taran along with his two aides Sandeep Singh alias Kala of Amritsar and Gurpreet Singh alias Randhawa.
The police recovered one hand-grenade, one RDX-IED, two .30 bore pistols along with magazines and 13 live cartridges, 635 grams heroin, 100 grams opium, Rs 36.90 lakhs drug money, and one Mitsubishi Lancer car from their possession.
Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav said that Gurwinder Singh had played a key role in the murder by providing weapons to the hitman. A probe revealed that he is a close associate of notorious gangsters Sukhpreet Singh alias Harry Chatha and Sukhmeetpal Singh alias Sukh Bikhariwal a prime suspect in the case.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ferozepur Range Jaskaran Singh said that following reliable inputs that Gurwinder Baba along with his aide Sandeep on the way to Khadoor Sahib, the Tarn Taran police intercepted the white Lancer car in which both were travelling and managed to arrest them. Two pistols with loaded magazines, 635 grams of heroin, 100-gram opium and Rs 3.90 lakh drug money were recovered from the car, he added.
He said that, later, following the disclosures of Gurwinder Baba, police recovered one hand grenade, one RDX-IED and Rs 33 lakhs drug money from the location pinpointed in the area of Police District Batala. Preliminary investigations suggest that the recovered explosives, arms, and drugs were smuggled via drones from Pakistan, he claimed.
SSP Tarn Taran Ranjit Singh Dhillon said that a case has been registered under sections 18, 21, 25, and 29 of the NDPS Act, sections 25(6) and 25(7) of the Arms Act, sections 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substance Act and sections 10, 11 and 12 of the Aircraft Act at Police Station Verowal. He said that these arrests are likely to lead to further disclosures of cross-border smuggling modules. Further investigations are on, he added.
The NIA had last year filed a supplementary charge sheet against three Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) terrorists in this connection.
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ISIS member involved in funds collection arrested from Delhi
By PTI
NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested an active ISIS member from here, an official said on Sunday, claiming the “radicalised” individual was collecting funds for the global terror group.
Mohsin Ahmad, originally hailing from Patna in Bihar, was arrested from his Batla House residence by a search party on Saturday, a spokesperson of the federal anti-terror agency said.
The spokesperson said the NIA conducted a search in the residential premises of the accused and subsequently arrested him in the case pertaining to ISIS’ online and on-ground activities.
The NIA had registered the case suo-moto on June 25.
“Ahmad is a radicalised and active member of ISIS. He has been arrested for his involvement in collection of funds for ISIS from sympathisers in India as well as abroad,” the spokesperson said, adding he was sending these funds to Syria and other places in the form of cryptocurrency in order to further ISIS’ activities.
Further investigations in the case are in progress, the NIA said.
On July 31, the anti-terror agency had carried out searches at 13 premises of suspected persons across six states — Bhopal and Raisen in Madhya Pradesh, Bharuch, Surat, Navsari and Ahmedabad in Gujarat, Arariya in Bihar, Bhatkal and Tumkur City in Karnataka, Kolhapur and Nanded in Maharashtra and Deoband in Uttar Pradesh.
NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested an active ISIS member from here, an official said on Sunday, claiming the “radicalised” individual was collecting funds for the global terror group.
Mohsin Ahmad, originally hailing from Patna in Bihar, was arrested from his Batla House residence by a search party on Saturday, a spokesperson of the federal anti-terror agency said.
The spokesperson said the NIA conducted a search in the residential premises of the accused and subsequently arrested him in the case pertaining to ISIS’ online and on-ground activities.
The NIA had registered the case suo-moto on June 25.
“Ahmad is a radicalised and active member of ISIS. He has been arrested for his involvement in collection of funds for ISIS from sympathisers in India as well as abroad,” the spokesperson said, adding he was sending these funds to Syria and other places in the form of cryptocurrency in order to further ISIS’ activities.
Further investigations in the case are in progress, the NIA said.
On July 31, the anti-terror agency had carried out searches at 13 premises of suspected persons across six states — Bhopal and Raisen in Madhya Pradesh, Bharuch, Surat, Navsari and Ahmedabad in Gujarat, Arariya in Bihar, Bhatkal and Tumkur City in Karnataka, Kolhapur and Nanded in Maharashtra and Deoband in Uttar Pradesh.
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NIA arrests Chota Shakeel’s Mumbai-based associate Salim Fruit in D Company case
By IANS
NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday arrested Mohammed Salim Mohd. Iqbal Qureshi alias Salim Fruit in the case relating to activities of fugitive mafia don Dawood Ibrahim’s D Company.
“Salim Fruit is a close associate of D Company and has played an active role in extorting huge amount of money in the name of Chhota Shakeel through property dealings and dispute settlements for raising terror funds in furtherance of terrorist activities of D company,” an official said.
On February 3, the NIA had received an information that Dawood Ibrahim was raising terror funds and was working with Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, and Al Qaeda, and was controlling criminal activities in India through close aides.
The case was registered suo moto on February 3 this year pertaining to terrorists and criminal activities viz. smuggling, narco-terrorism, money-laundering, circulation of FICN, unauthorised possession/acquisition of key assets for raising terror funds and working in active collaboration with international terrorist organisation including LeT, JeM and al-Qaeda.
NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday arrested Mohammed Salim Mohd. Iqbal Qureshi alias Salim Fruit in the case relating to activities of fugitive mafia don Dawood Ibrahim’s D Company.
“Salim Fruit is a close associate of D Company and has played an active role in extorting huge amount of money in the name of Chhota Shakeel through property dealings and dispute settlements for raising terror funds in furtherance of terrorist activities of D company,” an official said.
On February 3, the NIA had received an information that Dawood Ibrahim was raising terror funds and was working with Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, and Al Qaeda, and was controlling criminal activities in India through close aides.
The case was registered suo moto on February 3 this year pertaining to terrorists and criminal activities viz. smuggling, narco-terrorism, money-laundering, circulation of FICN, unauthorised possession/acquisition of key assets for raising terror funds and working in active collaboration with international terrorist organisation including LeT, JeM and al-Qaeda.
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Journalists protest in Manipur over ‘harrasment’ of editor by NIA
By PTI
IMPHAL: Journalists protested in Imphal on Thursday by ceasing their work, alleging that senior editor W Shyamjai was harassed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Members of All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU), Editors Guild Manipur (EGM) and Manipur Hill Journalists Union (MHJU) staged a sit-in protest in the Keisampat area from 10 am to 4 pm.
Shyamjai, the editor-in-chief of evening daily Kangleipakki Meira, was summoned by the NIA to its office on August 2 at 10 am “over alleged involvements of two other journalists aiding the underground groups”, the Indian Journalists Union (IJU) said in a statement.
Shymjai, the president of AMWJU, was kept in a small room without being interacted with till noon and was then asked “unrelated” questions regarding underground groups, it said.
The interrogation went on till 5 pm, and according to Shyamjai, he was also “intimidated” by NIA officers the next day, the statement alleged.
Protesting against the “harassment”, the press organisations submitted a memorandum to Governor La Ganesan and Chief Minister N Biren Singh.
They urged the governor and the chief minister to ensure that journalists are not harassed any further.
IMPHAL: Journalists protested in Imphal on Thursday by ceasing their work, alleging that senior editor W Shyamjai was harassed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Members of All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU), Editors Guild Manipur (EGM) and Manipur Hill Journalists Union (MHJU) staged a sit-in protest in the Keisampat area from 10 am to 4 pm.
Shyamjai, the editor-in-chief of evening daily Kangleipakki Meira, was summoned by the NIA to its office on August 2 at 10 am “over alleged involvements of two other journalists aiding the underground groups”, the Indian Journalists Union (IJU) said in a statement.
Shymjai, the president of AMWJU, was kept in a small room without being interacted with till noon and was then asked “unrelated” questions regarding underground groups, it said.
The interrogation went on till 5 pm, and according to Shyamjai, he was also “intimidated” by NIA officers the next day, the statement alleged.
Protesting against the “harassment”, the press organisations submitted a memorandum to Governor La Ganesan and Chief Minister N Biren Singh.
They urged the governor and the chief minister to ensure that journalists are not harassed any further.
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Bihar terror module case: NIA conducts raids several places in search of PFI members
Express News Service
PATNA: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday conducted raids in different places in Patna, Nalanda and Darbhanga districts in connection with Phulwarisahrif terror module case allegedly linked to extremist outfit – Popular Front of India (PFI).
The NIA officials also raided the house of Mohammad Athar Parvez at Phulwarisharif in Patna. Parvez, a former member of banned outfit Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), is currently lodged in Beur central jail in Patna.
Earlier, an NIA team reached Singhwara in Darbhanga district early Thursday morning and started search for Mustkin, a resident of Shankarpur village. The raiding team also conducted a raid at ancestral house of Sanaullah alias Yakib and Nariuddin Jangi.
In Nalanda, the NIA team was on the look out of Mohammad Siraz alias Lalbabu, Faiz and Mohammad Asgar Ali, stated to be closely associated with SDPI. Siyaz alias Lalbabu is stated to be district president of SDPI.
A report from East Champaran said the NIA team was looking for Mohmmad Riayz Mauroof alias Bablu at Kuan village near Motihari. Riyaz is the general secretary of PFI.
ALSO READ | Documents show PFI’s plot for making India an Islamic state by 2047
In Patna’s Nayatola, the raiding team stumbled upon important documents in a rented house of Mohammad Athar, stated to be the leader of the group in Bihar. The entire locality had converted into a fortress in the wake of the search operation.
The PFI ‘terror module’ case was recently unearthed by the Bihar Police with the arrest of three people for their alleged links with the group and their plans to indulge in “anti-India” activities.
On Wednesday, the NIA carried out searches in Jamia Maria Niswa Madrasa located in Bihar’s East Champaran district and arrested a teacher identified as Asghar Ali. Mohammad Jalaluddin, a retired Jharkhand Police officer, and Athar Parvez were arrested on July 13 from the Phulwari Sharif area of Bihar’s capital Patna while Nuruddin Jangi was arrested three days later from Lucknow by Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) in the request of the Bihar Police.
The NIA registered the case on July 22 night under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act following an order issued by the Counter Terrorism and Counter Radicalisation division of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) directing the agency to take over the investigation from Bihar Police.
Till date, five members of the group have been arrested in the case.
PATNA: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday conducted raids in different places in Patna, Nalanda and Darbhanga districts in connection with Phulwarisahrif terror module case allegedly linked to extremist outfit – Popular Front of India (PFI).
The NIA officials also raided the house of Mohammad Athar Parvez at Phulwarisharif in Patna. Parvez, a former member of banned outfit Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), is currently lodged in Beur central jail in Patna.
Earlier, an NIA team reached Singhwara in Darbhanga district early Thursday morning and started search for Mustkin, a resident of Shankarpur village. The raiding team also conducted a raid at ancestral house of Sanaullah alias Yakib and Nariuddin Jangi.
In Nalanda, the NIA team was on the look out of Mohammad Siraz alias Lalbabu, Faiz and Mohammad Asgar Ali, stated to be closely associated with SDPI. Siyaz alias Lalbabu is stated to be district president of SDPI.
A report from East Champaran said the NIA team was looking for Mohmmad Riayz Mauroof alias Bablu at Kuan village near Motihari. Riyaz is the general secretary of PFI.
ALSO READ | Documents show PFI’s plot for making India an Islamic state by 2047
In Patna’s Nayatola, the raiding team stumbled upon important documents in a rented house of Mohammad Athar, stated to be the leader of the group in Bihar. The entire locality had converted into a fortress in the wake of the search operation.
The PFI ‘terror module’ case was recently unearthed by the Bihar Police with the arrest of three people for their alleged links with the group and their plans to indulge in “anti-India” activities.
On Wednesday, the NIA carried out searches in Jamia Maria Niswa Madrasa located in Bihar’s East Champaran district and arrested a teacher identified as Asghar Ali. Mohammad Jalaluddin, a retired Jharkhand Police officer, and Athar Parvez were arrested on July 13 from the Phulwari Sharif area of Bihar’s capital Patna while Nuruddin Jangi was arrested three days later from Lucknow by Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) in the request of the Bihar Police.
The NIA registered the case on July 22 night under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act following an order issued by the Counter Terrorism and Counter Radicalisation division of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) directing the agency to take over the investigation from Bihar Police.
Till date, five members of the group have been arrested in the case.