The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday conducted raids at 19 locations across Karnataka, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Delhi as part of a crackdown against an ISIS module in India. ISIS is designated as a terrorist organisation by the United Nations.
The agency arrested eight individuals, including the alleged leader Minaj alias Md Sulaiman, on charges related to promoting terrorism and planning terror acts.
The NIA, the nodal agency for anti-terror operations, reported that the arrests foiled plans by the accused to carry out terror acts, particularly focusing on IED blasts. The raids targeted locations in Ballari and Bengaluru (Karnataka); Amaravati, Mumbai, and Pune (Maharashtra); Jamshedpur and Bokaro (Jharkhand); and Delhi.
During the operations, the NIA seized raw materials used in the development of explosive substances. The confiscated items included Sulphur, Potassium Nitrate, Charcoal, Gunpowder, Sugar, and Ethanol. Additionally, sharp-edged weapons, unaccounted cash, incriminating documents, smartphones, and other digital devices were seized.
The individuals arrested have been identified as Minaj and Syed Sameer from Ballari; Anas Iqbal Shaikh from Mumbai; Mohammad Muniruddin, Syid Samiullah alias Sami, and Md. Muzammil from Bengaluru; Shayan Rahman alias Hussain from Delhi; and Mohammad Shahbaz alias Zulfikar alias Guddu from Jamshedpur.
The Islamic State, or ISIS, emerged as a militant organisation in 2014, branching off from al Qaeda. The group gained global attention for its territorial conquests in Iraq and Syria.
Designated a terrorist organisation by the United Nations and others, ISIS is notorious for massive human rights violations. Muslim leaders across the Middle East have also condemned the group's activities in Iraq and Syria.
