New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday conducted extensive simultaneous searches at multiple locations across the country in connection with the activities promoted by some Bangladeshi nationals as part of the terror group Al-Qaeda's conspiracy to destabilise India.
The crackdown at nine locations, linked with individuals suspected of supporting and funding the activities of the proscribed terrorist organisation Al-Qaida, started early in the morning in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, West Bengal, Bihar, Tripura and Assam, the agency said.
As per the agency, its search operation led to the recovery of incriminating documents showing detailed banking transactions, digital devices including mobile phones, and other evidence related to terror funding activities.
"The suspects whose premises were raided are sympathisers of a Bangladesh-based Al-Qaida network. The searches were part of NIA's ongoing investigations into a 2023 case pertaining to a conspiracy orchestrated by Bangladesh-based Al-Qaida operatives in collaboration with the arrested individuals. The conspiracy was aimed at propagating al-Qaida terrorist activities and radicalising gullible youths in India," said the NIA.
In November last year, the NIA filed a chargesheet against five accused, including four Bangladeshi nationals, identified as Mohd. Sojibmiyan, Munna Khalid Ansari alias Munna Khan, Azarul Islam alias Jahangir or Aakash Khan, Abdul Latif alias Mominul Ansari. The fifth accused, Farid, is an Indian national.
NIA investigations into their antecedents revealed that the accused had procured forged documents to carry out their activities covertly. "They were actively involved in radicalising and motivating vulnerable Muslim youth in India, spreading Al-Qaida's violent ideology, collecting funds, and transferring these funds to Al-Qaida."
