Youth held for supplying arms to IS-inspired group

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 4

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) today produced in the court an 11th accused reportedly working for the ISIS-inspired module “Harkat-ul-Harb-e-Islam” (War for the cause of Islam).

Naeem (21) of Meerut was arrested on Thursday night by the investigation agency.

Naeem is accused of supplying arms to the other 10 accused, including alleged mastermind Mohammad Sohail (29), who was arrested from Amroha in Uttar Pradesh. The court sent Naeem to 10 days of NIA custody, said a senior official.

On December 26, the National Investigation Agency had claimed to have busted a “highly radicalised” self-trained terror module that was allegedly preparing to launch fidayeen attacks soon.

Early morning raids were conducted across 17 locations in New Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, with more follow-up searches last week.

The NIA, which had sought 15-day remand for the 10 arrested earlier, was allowed 12-day remand by the special court.

The agency is currently interrogating those in custody to probe details of how the group met and took form nearly four months ago, background of the arrested individuals who as of now do not seem to have criminal antecedents, source of procurement of weapons and explosive substances, specific vital installations and persons they were planning to target.

More individuals are on the radar and being questioned without being arrested, say sources.

The earlier arrested include mostly young people, including an engineering student at a private university in Noida, a third-year graduation student in humanities, an autorickshaw driver, two brothers who are welders and two garment businessmen as well as a local Imam from Baksar in Uttar Pradesh.