A significant counter-terrorism operation was launched by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday, with simultaneous raids conducted across ten locations in five different states. This sweep is part of the ongoing investigation into an Al-Qaeda terror conspiracy case linked to the illegal infiltration of Bangladeshi nationals into India. The states targeted in this major operation include West Bengal, Tripura, Meghalaya, Haryana, and Gujarat.
The NIA’s search teams meticulously combed through premises believed to be associated with suspects and their accomplices involved in the conspiracy. The primary objective was to gather crucial evidence that could further illuminate the structure and operations of the Al-Qaeda cell. Authorities reported the seizure of multiple digital devices and a substantial quantity of documents deemed highly incriminating. These items are now undergoing detailed forensic analysis to extract vital intelligence.
This specific case, identified as RC-19/2023/NIA/DLI, was initially registered by the NIA in June 2023. The legal framework for the investigation includes charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UA(P) Act), the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and the Foreigners Act, underscoring the gravity of the alleged security breaches. Central to the investigation are four Bangladeshi nationals: Mohd. Sojibmiyan, Munna Khalid Ansari alias Munna Khan, Azarul Islam alias Jahangir alias Aakash Khan, and Abdul Latif alias Mominul Ansari. These individuals are accused of gaining unlawful entry into India using counterfeit Indian identification documents.
Confirmation has been provided by the NIA that these suspects are affiliated with the proscribed terrorist outfit, Al-Qaeda. Their alleged activities include facilitating the financing of Al-Qaeda operations based in Bangladesh and actively working to radicalize and recruit vulnerable youth. The agency has detailed that the men were involved in the critical tasks of collecting and transferring funds to Al-Qaeda operatives abroad, while also engaging in propaganda to influence and motivate Muslim youth towards extremist ideologies.
This development follows a previous legal milestone, with the NIA filing a chargesheet against five individuals implicated in the case before the NIA Special Court in Ahmedabad on November 10, 2023. The investigation remains highly active, with a continued focus on unraveling the complex network of cross-border connections and financial flows that sustain these terror activities. The NIA is determined to map out the full reach of this network, both domestically and internationally.