PFI case: NIA raids 40 places in Andhra, Telangana

Hyderabad, Sep 18: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday carried out raids at multiple locations in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, in a major crackdown against the Popular Front of India (PFI).

The raids were conducted at 40 places including the residence and business premises of suspects in Kurnool, Nellore, Kadapa, Guntur of Andhra Pradesh and Nizamabad of Telangana.

During the searches, the NIA officials have picked up PFI district convener Shadullah, and members Mohammad Imran and Mohammad Abdul Mobin for questioning during these searches.

The official told PTI that some incriminating materials, including digital devices, documents, two daggers and over Rs 8.31 lakh, were seized during the operation. The case was initially registered on July 4 at the Nizamabad police station in Telangana and during investigations by the state police, four accused Abdul Kader, Sheikh Sahadulla, Mohd Imran and Mohd Abdul Mobin were arrested.

Later, the case was re-registered by the NIA on August 26 to carry forward the probe, the spokesperson said. Among the 40 locations raided in Telangana, the official said, the highest number of 23 places were subjected to searches at Nizamabad, followed by seven in Jagityal, four in Hyderabad, two in Nirmal and one each in Adilabad and Karimnagar districts.

One place each was searched in Kurnool and Nellore districts of Andhra Pradesh in the case relating to Khader and 26 other people, the official said, adding that the accused were organising camps to impart training to commit terror acts and promote enmity between different groups on the basis of religion. Further investigations in the case are in progress, the spokesperson said.