In Tamil Nadu, NIA is looking for these Islamic State operatives

A team of the National Investigation Agency has been on the lookout for a key operative called Haja Fakkruddin, a Tamil Nadu-based Islamic State operative who has been off the radar since 2014. In addition to this Haja who hails from Cuddalore, the NIA is also on the lookout for five others also from Tamil Nadu.

Shakul Hameed, Ansar Meeran and Mohammad Tabreze from Chennai, Abu Thahir from Karur, Khaj Moideen from Cuddalore and Sadiq Basha from Nagapattinam also are on the NIA's list.

NIA sources say that Haja was in fact the first known operative of the IS from India. He had moved out of Tamil Nadu in the early part of 2014. Investigations show that he had gone to Singapore on a work permit and from there may have reached Syria. He has not been on the radar of the Intelligence agencies for almost two years now and could be out of the country, the officer also said.

The NIA has now launched a massive manhunt for the rest of the members. The NIA also has on its radar Nauman Jaleel a resident of Telangana. A civil engineer by profession, Jaleel was picked up and released after being counseled.

The NIA has registered a first information report and in it the agency states that these members are trying to further the cause of the IS in India. These persons had hatched a conspiracy in Chennai to set up camps, raise funds and also carry out strikes, the NIA had alleged.

OneIndia News