Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 8: The National Investigation Agency (NIA), supported by state police forces and central security agencies, carried out coordinated search operations at 20 locations across 10 states on Wednesday as part of an ongoing probe into an alleged terror conspiracy and radicalisation network.
The searches are linked to a case being investigated by the NIA's Visakhapatnam unit, which originated after the arrest of a radicalised suspect, Mohammed Rehmatulla Sharif, by the Vijayawada Police on March 22. The case was subsequently handed over to the central anti-terror agency for a detailed investigation.
According to officials, the raids were conducted at five locations in Uttar Pradesh, four in Andhra Pradesh, three in Maharashtra, two in Delhi, and one location each in Bihar, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Gujarat, Telangana, and West Bengal.
One of the major operations took place in Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr, where NIA teams searched the residences of cosmetics trader Abdul Qadir and his brothers, Faisal and Bilal. Investigators suspect the trio of involvement in hawala transactions, terror financing, and money laundering activities.
Multiple teams from Visakhapatnam simultaneously searched the three properties in the city's Inta Rodi locality early Wednesday. During the operation, officials reportedly recovered substantial amounts of cash, prompting the agency to bring in currency-counting machines. Security personnel from local police stations remained deployed outside the premises while the counting process continued inside.
Authorities also imposed strict security measures in and around the Inta Rodi neighbourhood, restricting public movement and preventing anyone from entering or leaving the affected area while the searches were underway.
In Andhra Pradesh, another NIA team conducted searches in Vijayawada's Vinchipeta area as part of the same investigation into alleged terror links.
The case had earlier led to the arrest of five individuals in April, including Mohammad Rahamatullah Sharif (23), Md. Danish (27), and Mirza Sohail Baig (23), all from Vijayawada, along with Sayeeda Begum (38) of Hyderabad and Abdul Salam of Karnataka's Ballari district. Investigators alleged that the accused had discussed plans related to carrying out terrorist activities within India.
The ongoing searches are aimed at uncovering additional evidence and determining whether the arrested individuals maintained connections with other persons or organisations involved in extremist activities.
During the course of the investigation, officials claimed to have uncovered evidence suggesting that the accused were attempting to expand the influence of Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and the Islamic State (ISIS) in India under the guidance of an overseas handler identified as Al-Hakeem Shukoor.
Investigators further alleged that the accused had formed a group named "Al-Malik Islamic Youth" and admitted during questioning that they had embraced extremist ideology, which they claimed intensified after establishing contact with the foreign handler. They are also accused of attempting to recruit and radicalise young people and encouraging them to participate in suicide attacks.
The case has been registered under multiple provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and the Information Technology Act at Vijayawada's Two Town Police Station.
The First Information Report (FIR) names 12 accused from several states, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Delhi, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and West Bengal, as the investigation into the alleged nationwide terror network continues.