NIA Raids 6 Bengaluru Locations in Connection with Lashkar Radicalisation Mission

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday raided multiple locations across Bengaluru, Karnataka, in a case related to the 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 as part of the NIA’s continuing investigations into the case (RC-28/2023/NIA/DLI). The other locations that were searched were premises connected to two other suspects.

The NIA teams seized a host of digital devices, various incriminating documents, and cash amounting to Rs 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, 1967, and Explosive Substances Act, 1884.

The Bengaluru City Police had originally registered the case following the seizure of arms and ammunition, including 7 pistols, 4 hand grenades, 1 magazine and 45 live rounds, along with 4 walkie-talkies. Five people were initially arrested and their interrogation led to the arrest of one more. The NIA had taken over the custody of all the six arrested accused on assuming charge of the case on October 25.

Investigations by the NIA revealed that Mohammed Umar, Mohammed Faisal Rabbani, Tanveer Ahmed, Mohammed Farooq, and Junaid Ahmed had come in contact with LeT member and life convict T Naseer during their imprisonment at Central Prison, Parappana Agrahara, Bengaluru. It was further found that Naseer had radicalised and recruited these individuals to commit violent terror acts.

After their release from the Central Prison, these five accused, all of them habitual offenders, had conspired to commit terror acts under the leadership of Junaid Ahmed and on directions from T Naseer.

Junaid, who was absconding after being accused in a case related to the smuggling of red sandalwood in 2021, was in regular touch with the other accused through encrypted communication platforms. He had also provided funding to the others for collecting arms and ammunition and kept them in their safe custody.