Terror radicalisation case: NIA conducts raids in Vijayawada

Vijayawada: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday carried out extensive searches at multiple locations in Vijayawada as part of its probe into an alleged online terror radicalisation network linked to the banned terrorist organisations ISIS and AQIS (Al-Qaeda in the Indian subcontinent). The raids, which began around 5 am in Winchipet and other parts of the city, were part of a coordinated nationwide operation.Simultaneous searches were conducted in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Delhi in connection with the case, which was originally registered by the Vijayawada police in March and later taken over by the NIA in May this year.According to the agency, the investigation began after Vijayawada police searched the residence of key accused Rehmatullah Sharif Mohammad, where investigators allegedly recovered incriminating material linked to ISIS and AQIS.

The investigation has so far led to the arrest of 11 accused and one juvenile, all of whom were earlier questioned by the NIA at its Visakhapatnam office.Wednesday’s searches were carried out based on detailed technical analysis of digital devices seized during the investigation, connectivity analysis of the arrested accused and other intelligence inputs. NIA teams seized several digital devices, electronic gadgets and documents, which will now undergo forensic examination for fresh evidence.

In an official statement, the NIA said the arrested accused and their associates were allegedly involved in radicalising vulnerable youth across the country through violent jihadi propaganda and online misinformation. Investigators also suspect that they maintained contact with foreign handlers to propagate extremist ideology and further an anti-India conspiracy aimed at establishing an Islamic State through violent jihad.Officials said the latest raids are intended to identify other individuals linked to the alleged terror network, uncover recruitment channels and trace the wider conspiracy. The NIA said further action will be taken based on the evidence gathered during the ongoing investigation.