NIA raids 44 locations in Karnataka & Maharashtra in connection to ISIS conspiracy case, 13 arrested

National Investigation Agency arrested 13 persons from Pune after it conducted raids in 44 locations across Karnataka and Maharashtra in connection to the ISIS conspiracy case.

These locations were in Karnataka, Pune, Thane Rural, Thane City and Mira Bhayander.

In the Pune Module, just last month the national agency had filed a chargsheet against seven individuals involved in a conspiracy related to ISIS. The accused were involved in the collection and raising of funds for the terror outfit with the intention to further its terror and violence-related activities.

The accused were found to be organising terrorist training camps, harboring known and wanted terrorists, and committing acts prior to the fabrication of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). They were also found to be possessing IEDs, firearms and ammunitions.

The charges are under various sections of the UAPA Act, Explosives Substances Act, Arms Act and the Indian Penal Code.

In October, the Delhi Police arrested Islamic State (IS) terrorist, Shahnawaz Alam, wanted by NIA in connection with the Pune ISIS module case.

Alam was arrested just days after NIA announced a reward of Rs 3 lakh on him. Two other suspected terrorists — Arshad Warsi and Mohammad Rizwan — were also arrested in the follow-up action. An engineer by profession, Alam was found to have some chemical substance on him, which was seized, an official said.

In August, the NIA had arrested one Shamil Saquib Nachan in the case and claimed it had seized incriminating material from his residence in Thane district.

Earlier in an alleged conspiracy by ISIS to carry out terror attacks across India, the NIA had filed its first supplementary chargesheet against nine people from Karnataka.

Of the nine, five accused had tech backgrounds and were tasked to take courses in robotics to pick up skills for carrying terror attacks in the future. They were given these talks by the foreign-based ISIS handler, the NIA said.

The nine persons were charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Destruction and Loss of Property Act.