The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted simultaneous raids at multiple locations today as part of an ongoing investigation into the radicalisation of prisoners by a Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorist. The anti-terror agency carried out search operations at 17 sites across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and five other states, targeting suspects linked to the case.
The case was initially registered by the Bengaluru City Police after the discovery of arms and ammunition, including seven pistols, four hand grenades, one magazine, 45 live rounds, and four walkie-talkies last year. Five individuals were arrested, and further interrogation led to the arrest of one more suspect.
The NIA took over the investigation in October last year and conducted raids on December 13.
The alleged mastermind, T Naseer, who is affiliated with LeT, reportedly radicalised these individuals while in Bengaluru Central Prison.
Naseer had reportedly influenced Mohammed Umar, Mohammed Faisal Rabbani, Tanveer Ahmed, Mohammed Farooq, and Junaid Ahmed during their time in Bengaluru Prison in 2017. According to the NIA, Naseer radicalised and recruited these individuals for terrorist activities.
While it remains unclear if Tuesday”s raids are linked to Friday”s explosion at a popular cafe in Bengaluru, sources close to the investigation indicate that potential connections will be thoroughly examined. The agency took over the investigation into the Rameshwaram cafe blast on Monday.
In the case of radicalisation inside the Bengaluru prison, the agency has formally charged eight individuals, including Naseer and two others who are absconding.
Naseer, a native of Kerala”s Kannur, has been serving a life sentence since 2013. Junaid Ahmed and Salman Khan, believed to have fled abroad, were reportedly influenced by Naseer in jail.
“Naseer had managed to get them all shifted to his barracks after a careful assessment of their potential with a view to radicalise and recruit them into the LeT. He first managed to radicalise and recruit Junaid and Salman to further the activities of the LeT; thereafter, he conspired with Junaid to radicalise and recruit the other accused,” NIA said in a statement in January.
After his release, Junaid was believed to have fled abroad. As per the NIA investigations, he began sending funds to his co-accused to promote LeT activities within and outside the prison. He also conspired with Salman to deliver arms, ammunition, hand grenades and walkie talkies to the others, as part of a plot to carry out a ‘fidayeen’ attack and help Naseer escape en route to court. “Junaid also instructed his co-accused to steal used police caps for the attack and to commit arson on government buses as a practice run. The plot was foiled with the seizure of the arms etc in July last year,” the agency said.
