The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has officially lodged a charge sheet against seven individuals suspected of being affiliated with ISIS. The charges include allegations of planning attacks throughout the country.
According to the chargesheet, the investigation reportedly unveiled that the accused raised funds under the directives of their handlers to support ISIS activities. NIA sources have indicated that their intent was to instigate violence and terror within the nation.
As per the chargesheet, all the accused were well-educated and technically proficient. The document also notes that they conducted multiple meetings in Pune and Maharashtra, and devised plans to recruit additional members through WhatsApp groups.
Notably, they employed coded language, using terms such as "vinegar" or "sirka" for sulphuric acid, "rosewater" for acetone, and "sherbat" for hydrogen peroxide when procuring chemicals for improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
According to an NDTV report, the officials said, "The investigation has revealed a complex network of individuals committed to propagating the extremist ideology of ISIS within India."
The NIA has reportedly seized a set of documents titled - "Revege on Kafirs". The documents have details about the strategy of further ISIS activities in India.
An official reportedly said, "They wanted to take revenge on alleged atrocities on Muslims by Kafirs (non-Muslims)."
The suspects reportedly went to different states, such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Telangana, and Kerala, with the aim of identifying potential targets for executing explosive attacks.
The NIA has also alleged that the accused were in touch with foreign handlers who were updated about the progress in their plans.