The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids at 17 locations across seven states on Tuesday as part of the ongoing probe into radicalization in Bengaluru jails. Raids are currently underway in states such as Bengaluru and Tamil Nadu, targeting places linked to people suspected of having links to terrorism.
On January 12 this year, NIA charged eight persons, including a life prisoner and two fugitives. The accused include T. Naseer from Kerala’s Kannur district, who has been sentenced to death in the Bengaluru Central Jail since 2013. The accused who did not confess are Junaid Ahmed (alias JD) and Salman Khan. The other defendants are Sayyid Suheyl Khan, Muhammad Umar, Zahid Tabrez, Sayyid Mudassir Pasha and Muhammad Faisal Rabbani.
All eight accused have been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, Unlawful Offenses (Prevention) Act, Crimes Act and Arms Act.
Bengaluru city Police started registering the case on July 18, 2023, after weapons, ammunition, grenades and walkie-talkies were seized here. The seven defendants gathered at the defendant’s house. In October 2023, NIA launched an investigation.
Subsequent investigation revealed that T. Naseer, known for his involvement in various blast cases, had established links with other accused while in Bengaluru jail in 2017. While Salman was involved in a POCSO case, others were also involved. murder. Nasir arranged their transfer to his army camp in an attempt to radicalize them and recruit them into Lashkar-e-Taiba. He successfully radicalized and recruited Junaid and Salman, then joined Junaid to further radicalize and recruit other accused.
Junaid revealed that he fled abroad after committing more crimes after being released from prison. According to NIA investigation, Junaid had started financing his accomplice from abroad to support Lashkar-e-Taiba’s activities inside and outside prisons. He worked with Salman to supply others with weapons, ammunition, grenades and walkie-talkies to plan a “fidayeen” attack to help Nasir escape police custody on his way to court. Junaid also revealed that he was accused of stealing police hats and setting fire to government buses during the protests. The plan collapsed when the gun was seized in July.
Investigation in the case under Section 173(8) of the Penal Code (CrPC) is ongoing.
The latest attack comes two days after the home ministry sent an inquiry to the National Intelligence Agency into the Rameshwaram cafe blast in Bengaluru. The Counter Terrorism Department has once again recorded the blast that took place in Whitefield area of Bengaluru on March 1. Many people were injured in the explosion that occurred during lunch.
