The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has carried out searches at 19 locations in South India, busting a “highly radicalized jihadi terror group,” according to sources.
The raids have been ongoing since this morning, with the anti-terror agency conducting them in close coordination with state police forces.
Sources with knowledge of the development did not disclose specific details about the location and the jihadi group due to operational reasons.
Among the 19 places subjected to NIA searches, the majority are associated with individuals linked to the jihadi group, according to the sources. The terror group, as per intelligence inputs, is involved in anti-India activities and has acquired capabilities for planning attacks and recruiting youths.
This action follows recent NIA raids at multiple locations in Bengaluru, Karnataka, related to the radicalization of prisoners by a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist.
On December 13, six locations, including the residences of four accused (one of whom is still at large), underwent extensive searches as part of NIA’s ongoing investigations into the case (RC-28/2023/NIA/DLI). Other locations searched were premises associated with two additional suspects.
During the raid, NIA teams confiscated various digital devices, incriminating documents, and cash amounting to Rs 7.3 lakhs from the residences of Mohammed Umar, Mohammed Faisal Rabbani, Tanveer Ahmed, and Mohammed Farooq, as well as from absconder Junaid Ahmed. Three accused are presently evading arrest in the case, which is registered under various sections of the IPC, the UA(P) Act, 1967, and the Explosive Substances Act, 1884.
