NIA raids in Bengaluru, Mumbai against suspected Islamic State operatives

The agencies have been on high alert with Intelligence inputs suggesting that the Islamic State could launch lone wolf attacks in India

New Delhi, Feb 11: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has conducted raids in Mumbai and Bengaluru against suspects linked to the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda.

The raids are in connection with a case related to the conspiracy hatched by the accused to spread terror activities in the country.

During the searches the NIA found incriminating material such documents and digital devices. A few suspects have been picked up for questioning.

Last month the NIA had carried out searches in six locations in Karnataka and arrested two persons in connection with the Shivamogga Islamic State case. The searches were conducted in Dakshina Kannada, Shivamogga, Davanagere and Bengaluru. The persons arrested were identified as Reshaan Sheikh from Varamballi in Brahmavar, Udui. And Husair Farhan Baig from Shivamogga in Karnataka.

The probe revealed that Maaz Muneer had radicalised his close aide and college mate, Reeshan and both had received funds from their Islamic State handler through crypto-wallets.

As part of their large and violent agenda, they had also indulged in arson and targeting of vehicles and establishments, such as liquor shops, godowns and power transformers, the agencies said.

Earlier the NIA and the Internal Security Department (ISD) picked up one Arif for questioning in connection with an Al-Qaeda case. The agencies have been keeping a tab on his activities for two years, before they went to his resident in Thanisandra in Bengaluru and picked him for questioning. It was found that he was having conversations with his handlers through chat platforms.

During a raid of his residence, the agencies confiscated documents and electronic equipment. The probe revealed that Arif was in touch with Al-Qaeda operatives for nearly two years. He also communicated with his handlers through the dark web. The agency is currently questioning him and also are ascertaining his financial sources.

Arif is a techie from Uttar Pradesh and was working at a private firm in Bengaluru. The agencies learnt that he was working from home.

The agencies have of late been cracking down on scores of modules after Intelligence inputs suggested the possibility of the Islamic State unleashing lone-wolf attacks in the country. The Islamic State has been urging the radicals to strike at Hindu Temples and attack Hindus.

The alert levels have also been high as there are possibilities of the Popular Front of India (PFI) trying to recoup.