INDIA. Mumbai: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) busted a highly indoctrinated ISIS-linked terror module on Saturday in a joint operation with the Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) of Madhya Pradesh Police, resulting in the arrest of three individuals. The accused have been remanded to NIA custody until June 3 by the Special NIA Court.
The dreaded terror group, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), and all its affiliated organizations, responsible for a series of savage attacks and killings in Iraq and Syria, have been banned in India under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 (amended in 2019).
The arrested individuals have been identified as Mohammad Adil Khan (20), son of Mohammad Kadir Khan; Syed Mamoor Ali (29), son of Sayed Aahan Ali; and Mohammad Shahid (20), son of Mohd Nayeem Khan. They are residents of Jabalpur.
“During the searches conducted at 13 locations in Jabalpur on May 26 and May 27, several sharp-edged weapons, ammunition (including prohibited bore), incriminating documents, and digital devices were seized,” as stated in an NIA statement.
The NIA had been monitoring the activities of Mohammad Adil Khan since August 2022. On May 24, the agency registered a case (RC-14/2023/NIA/DLI). It was revealed that Khan and his associates were involved in disseminating ISIS propaganda through social media platforms and on-ground “Dawah” programs, with the intention of carrying out violent terror attacks in India on behalf of ISIS.
Khan, a staunch follower of ISIS, had managed to assemble an active group of likeminded radicalized individuals based in Jabalpur. Some members of the group were already contemplating “Hijrat” (flight) to conflict zones, while others had plans to establish a local outfit for carrying out violent jihad in India, according to NIA investigations.
Khan was also operating multiple YouTube, Instagram, and WhatsApp channels to motivate and recruit youth into the ISIS fold.
Syed Mamoor Ali had formed a local group called “Tanzeem” with the name “Fisabilillah” and was operating a WhatsApp group with the same name. Along with his associates, he was attempting to procure pistols and was in contact with an illegal arms supplier in Jabalpur for this purpose.
Similarly, Mohammad Shahid had planned to acquire weapons, including pistols, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and grenades, to carry out violent attacks in India.
The module conducted meetings, known as “Dars,” in local mosques and houses, where they planned and conspired to spread terror in the country. Investigations revealed that the three accused were highly radicalized and determined to carry out violent jihad.
They were involved in collecting funds, disseminating ISIS propaganda material, motivating and recruiting youth, and attempting to procure arms and ammunition with the objective of conducting terrorist acts.
These arrests of the three ISIS operatives occurred within a fortnight after the Madhya Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) dismantled the Bhopal-Hyderabad terror module of the Islamist terrorist organization Hizb-Ut-Tahiri (HuT), resulting in the apprehension of 16 HuT terrorists on May 9.
Also Read: Mumbai Cyber Police Bust a Gang Duping Senior Citizens
