In a major crackdown on an alleged ISIS-linked terror module, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Tuesday carried out simultaneous searches across 16 locations in eight states, as part of its ongoing probe into the Vizianagaram ISIS case, which involves a conspiracy to carry out attacks in India using IEDs and the radicalisation of youth through social media platforms.
According to officials, searches were conducted in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Delhi, leading to the seizure of several digital devices, documents, cash, and incriminating materials.
This comes after the arrest of key accused Arif Husain, alias Abu Talib, on August 27 as he was trying to escape to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Husain is suspected of conspiring with associates to procure weapons via the Nepal border.
“The case, initially registered in July this year by Vizianagaram police, began with the arrest of Siraj-ur-Rahman, who was caught with chemical substances believed to be used in the fabrication of IEDs. His questioning revealed a broader conspiracy to wage war against the Indian government. This led to the arrest of another accused, Syed Sameer,” an NIA spokesperson said.
“Investigations have revealed that both Siraj and Sameer allegedly operated online networks to indoctrinate and recruit vulnerable youth through platforms such as Instagram, Telegram, Signal and Facebook,” the spokesperson added.
NIA sources indicated that these social media channels were being exploited to spread extremist propaganda and coordinate activities.
