NIA To Probe Bhopal-Hyderabad Hizb-ut-Tahrir Module Case

The National Investigation Agency has taken over the probe into the recently busted Bhopal-Hyderabad Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HuT) module.

The module was first busted by the Madhya Pradesh ATS and Intelligence Bureau. However owing to inter-state ramifications, the probe was handed over to the NIA. The agency will now register a separate case.

The operation was launched at Bhopal, Chhindwara and Hyderabad, during which 16 persons allegedly associated with the HuT were arrested.

Ten persons were arrested from Bhopal, one from Chhindwara and five from Hyderabad. The arrested persons were working in various professions such as gym trailers, tailors, computer technicians and auto drivers in their local communities. The probe also revealed that these persons had formed a group and were plotting major terror strikes. They had dangerous plots in their minds, an official said.

Following their arrest, the agencies recovered scores of documents as well as videos in which some of them were seen addressing topics relating to the Caliphate and why democracy should not exist.

Further the officials also found numbers of several Pakistanis on them. This has led to the suspicion that they may have been directed by a handler from Pakistan.

The probe officials also learnt that these persons were conducting shooting practices and close combat training in the remote jungle areas. This is also included the distribution of Jihadi literature, an official said.Further they also delivered provocative speeches during secret religious meetings. The accused persons were scouting for young persons who were ready to undertake suicide strikes, the probe also found.

During the course of the probe, the officials also learnt that five of the suspects had married Hindu girls and converted them to Islam. The converts were a pharmacy professor from Barasia in Bhopal and a cloud service engineer from Bhopal.