NIA searches at 25 locations in ISIS-related cases

New Delhi, February 24

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday conducted searches at multiple locations in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in three cases related to the dreaded terror group ISIS, officials said.

In Tamil Nadu, searches were conducted at 10 locations, including one each in Chennai, Kanchipuram and Toothukudi; three in Salem and four in Cuddalore, an NIA spokesperson said.

The first case was registered in January under the Indian Penal Code, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Arms Act against 10 accused, the spokesperson said.

Pachaiyappan of Kanchipuram, Rajesh of Chennai, Anbarasan of Salem Rural, Abdul Rahman and Liaqat Ali of Salem, besides Haneef Khan, Imran Khan, Mohammed Zaid, Ejas Pasha and Hussain Sherif of Bangalore were accused of conspiring with ISIS member Khaja Moideen of Cuddalore for carrying out unlawful activities and committing terrorist acts in the country by procuring illegal arms, for furthering the objectives of the proscribed terror group.

During searches, 16 SIM cards and two internet dongles, besides documents and books have been seized, the NIA spokesperson said.

The second case — ISIS Khaja Moideen Module — was registered by the NIA in January under the IPC, Arms Act and UA (P) Act.

Abdul Samad, Khaja Moideen, Syed Ali Navas and Jaffer Ali besides their associates were named by the NIA for the conspiracy to carrying out terrorist attacks in Delhi and the NCR to further the objectives of ISIS.

In Karnataka, the NIA carried out searches at 15 locations in Bengaluru and Kolar in connection with an investigation of a case — ISIS Al Hind Module — in the houses of arrested and absconding accused and office of AL-Hind Trust. During searches, a number of digital devices, one auto-rickshaw and other incriminating documents were seized. — PTI