NIA raids multiple locations in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra in ISIS conspiracy case

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) searched four locations in Madhya Pradesh’s Seoni and a location in Maharashtra’s Pune on Saturday as part of an investigation to unearth a conspiracy by Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISKP) to expand its activities in India.

According to reports, the NIA team searched the homes of suspects Talha Khan in Pune and Akram Khan in Seoni. Notably, the case was initially registered by the Delhi Police’s Special Cell after the arrest of a Kashmiri couple, Jahanzaib Shami Wani and his wife Hina Bashir Beigh, from Okhla in Delhi. The couple was found to be affiliated with the ISKP.

During investigations, the role of another accused, Abdullah Basith, who is lodged in the Tihar Jail in another case, was discovered. The places searched included the residential and commercial premises of suspects Abdul Aziz Salafi and Shoeb Khan.

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In the Shivamoga case, the accused – Mohamed Shariq, Maaz Muneer Khan, Yasin and others – on instructions of their handler based outside the country, targeted public and private properties, such as warehouse, liquor shops, hardware shops, vehicles and other properties belonging to members of a particular community. The accused reportedly committed over 25 incidents of arson and sabotage.

Reports have also confirmed that the group carried out a mock improvised explosive device blast and was funded via cryptocurrency.

Plan to blast Mangalore’s Kadri temple

As per fresh reports, accused Mohamed Shariq planned to carry out an IED blast in Mangalore’s Kadri temple on November 19. However, the IED blast exploded prematurely when the perpetrator was on his way to the target location.

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Meanwhile, Abdul Salafi (40) is a maulana at the Seoni Jamia Masjid while Shoeb (26), sells spare parts of automobiles. Salafi and Shoeb were found actively propagating malicious ideas such as ‘voting in elections is sinful for Muslims.’

Findings from the search:

According to reports, officers have found that the group was actively collecting information about ongoing activities and events at different places, including Afghanistan.

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Initial examination of the suspects has revealed that the group was using social media platforms to disseminate false propaganda. The individuals were preparing to carry out Jihad against the people who believe otherwise, agency said.

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