NIA raids multiple locations in Bengaluru in prison radicalisation case

NIA raids six locations in Bengaluru in LeT terror case; seizes ₹7.3 lakh, digital devices and incriminating documents. The suspects were radicalised by life convict T. Nazir and had conspired to commit terror acts under Junaid Ahmed's leadership.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday, December 13, raided multiple locations across Bengaluru, in a case relating to radicalisation of prisoners by a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist.

A total of six locations, including the houses of four accused, one of whom is still absconding, were extensively searched. The other locations that were searched were premises connected with two other suspects, said a release from the investigative agency.

The NIA teams seized a host of digital devices, various incriminating documents, and cash amounting ₹7.3 lakh during the raids, conducted at the premises of Mohammed Umar, Mohammed Faisal Rabbani, Tanveer Ahmed and Mohammed Farooq, as well as absconder Junaid Ahmed.

Three accused are currently absconding in the case, registered under various sections of IPC, UA(P) Act, and Explosive Substances Act, 1884.

The Bengaluru City Police had earlier registered the case following the seizure of arms and ammunition, including seven pistols, four hand grenades, one magazine and 45 live rounds, along with four walkie-talkies.

Five persons were initially arrested and their interrogation had led to the arrest of one more, taking the total arrests so far in the case to six. NIA had taken over the custody of all the six arrested on October 25, 2023.

Investigations by the NIA had revealed that the five had come in contact with LeT member and life convict, T. Nazir, during their imprisonment at Central Prison, Parappana Agrahara, Bengaluru. It was further found that Nazir had radicalised and recruited these individuals for committing violent terror acts.