Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, May 14: National Investigation Agency (NIA) has announced prize money of Rs three lac for anyone who is able to provide concrete information about Abdul Matheen Ahmed Taha (26), who has been absconding. He reportedly had executed the murder of a Hindu leader in Tamil Nadu and is a member of 'Al Hind ISIS' which managed ISIS activities in Karnataka, the agency said.

Abdul Matheen is a resident of fish market road in Soppugudde area of Thirthaalli in Shivamogga district. A case against him was registered in Suddaguntepalya police station here during January. NIA has been investigating the case now.

Abdul Matheen Ahmed Taha

Mehboob Pasha, Khaja Mohiuddin alias Jalal and some others were involved with the murder of a Hindu leader, Suresh, at Chennai in the year 2014. NIA had arrested these people and identified them as having been inspired by ISIS ideology. During their questioning, NIA found out that they had connections with Abdul Matheen from Karnataka.

Abdul Matheen had participated in several meetings organized by Mehboob Pasha about ISIS activities in a house at Gurappanapalya on Bannerghatta Road Bengaluru in 2019. The accused had also held meetings with the participation of some other accused. NIA said that they were inspiring young people to get involved with terrorist activities in Afghanistan and Syria. A number of activists involved with this activity have already been arrested.

Abdul Matheen, who is absconding now, is the friend of arrested accused Saleem and Zayed. These three had close-knit contact with one another after coming to know each other through Al Hind Trust leader Mehaboob Pasha, NIA said in its release that Abdul Matheen was in contact with handlers located in foreign countries online.