The operation, conducted by the NIA in collaboration with state security forces, was carried out with precision and secrecy to avoid any potential security threats.
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Karnataka: In a significant breakthrough, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has successfully dismantled an active ISIS module operating in Maharashtra and Karnataka, leading to the arrest of the module’s leader and 15 operatives. To subscribe please click tau.id/2iy6f and access our live channel.
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The targeted raids took place in multiple locations across Maharashtra and Karnataka, leading to the apprehension of key individuals associated with the ISIS module. The arrested accused included the leader of an ISIS module who was administering ‘bayath’ (oath of allegiance) to new recruits.
Several NIA teams swooped down on as many as 44 locations in Padgha-Borivali, Thane, Mira Road and Pune in Maharashtra, and Bengaluru in Karnataka early Saturday morning, and apprehended the 15 accused for allegedly promoting terror and terror-related acts and activities of the proscribed organisation.
Huge amounts of unaccounted cash, firearms, sharp-edged weapons, incriminating documents, smart phones and other digital devices were seized during the raids, conducted as part of the NIA’s ongoing efforts to disrupt and demolish the attempts of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
The official said the accused, operating on the directions of their foreign handlers, had been actively involved in various terrorist activities, including fabrication of improvised explosive devices, for furthering the violent and destructive agenda of the ISIS.
The official said initial investigations have revealed that the arrested accused had self-declared the village of Padgha in rural Thane as a “liberated zone” and as “Al Sham”. They were motivating impressionable Muslim youths to relocate from their place of residence for strengthening the Padgha base.
NIA has in recent months conducted large-scale raids and busted different ISIS modules by arresting several terror operatives in the ISIS terror conspiracy case in a bid to scuttle the organisation’s heinous and violent anti-India agenda.
