National Investigation Agency conducts raids in Meghalaya linked to Al-Qaeda Gujarat terror case
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday carried out raids in South Garo Hills district of Meghalaya as part of a nationwide counter-terror operation connected to the Al-Qaeda Gujarat terror conspiracy case, which involves illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday carried out raids in South Garo Hills district of Meghalaya as part of a nationwide counter-terror operation connected to the Al-Qaeda Gujarat terror conspiracy case, which involves illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.
Apart from Meghalaya, NIA teams conducted searches at premises linked to several suspects and their associates in West Bengal, Tripura, Haryana, and Gujarat. Digital devices and various incriminating documents were seized during the operation and are being sent for forensic examination.
Apart from Meghalaya, NIA sleuths conducted searches at premises linked to several suspects and their associates in West Bengal, Tripura, Haryana, and Gujarat. During the operation, digital devices and various incriminating documents were seized and are being sent for forensic examination.
“The NIA officials visited Baghmara, Maheshkhola, Rongra and Mahadev areas in South Garo Hills as part of their nationwide counter-terror operation. However, no one was arrested,” officials told UNI. “Investigation is ongoing to trace the wider network, connections, and financial routes linked to the terror group’s activities in India and abroad,” the official added, refusing to divulge further details on the anti-terror probe.
The Al-Qaeda Gujarat terror case, registered as RC-19/2023/NIA/DLI, was filed by the NIA in June 2023 under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Indian Penal Code, and the Foreigners Act. Investigations so far have revealed that four Bangladeshi nationals identified as Mohd. Sojibmiyan, Munna Khalid Ansari alias Munna Khan, Azarul Islam alias Jahangir alias Aakash Khan, and Abdul Latif alias Mominul Ansari had entered India illegally using forged identity documents.
The accused were involved in collecting and transferring funds to Al-Qaeda operatives in Bangladesh and in radicalising Muslim youth. South Garo Hills, the remotest district in Meghalaya, shares an international border with Bangladesh’s Mymensingh Division. On November 10, 2023, the NIA filed a chargesheet against five accused before the NIA Special Court in Ahmedabad.
Meanwhile, the Border Security Force has intensified patrolling along the India-Bangladesh border under Meghalaya frontier, following the blast near Delhi’s Red Fort on Monday evening, the Border Security Force has intensified patrolling along the India-Bangladesh border under Meghalaya frontier. “We have stepped up vigilance across the India-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya. We have asked our commanders of the border units to maintain a “strict vigil” and initiate “strong action to stop” illegal movement along the international border,” Inspector General of BSF, Meghalaya frontier, O.P. Upadhyay told UNI. Meghalaya shares a 443-km border with Bangladesh, of which 49.216 km is unfenced and has terrain difficult to patrol.
SOURCE: THE STATESMAN
