Al-Qaeda related case: NIA carries out searches in Kashmir
Srinagar/New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday carried out searches at five locations in Kashmir in connection with its investigation into a case related to an Al-Qaeda group’s planning to launch terror attacks in India, an official said.
The case was initially registered in Lucknow by Uttar Pradesh’s Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) on July 7 and subsequently taken over by the NIA for an in-depth investigation on July 29, a spokesperson of the agency said.
The NIA said the raids were carried out at five locations in south Kashmir’s Shopian district and central Kashmir’s Budgam district. A large number of incriminating documents and digital devices were seized, it added.
The case pertains to Umar Halmandi, an Al-Qaeda operative, who along with other accused persons, had been radicalising and recruiting vulnerable persons for Al-Qaeda in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and trying to raise Ansaar Gajwatul Hind’ (AGH) to carry out terrorist acts, for which they had already arranged arms and explosive substances, the spokesperson said.
Further investigation in the case is continuing, the NIA said.
Meanwhile, the NIA filed a charge sheet before a special court here against a Canada-based terrorist for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to carry out attacks in India after arranging arms and ammunition from Pakistan, an official said.
It was filed under sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act before against Hardeep Singh Nijjar, originally hailing from Jalandhar and currently residing in Surrey, Canada, the official of the premier investigation agency said.
The case relates to a conspiracy hatched by Nijjar of proscribed terrorist organisation Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), and others to carry out terrorist attacks in India, said the official of the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
He used to send funds to India through various Money Transfer Service Scheme (MTSS) services and hawala channels for developing a network of sympathisers for undertaking targeted killings in Punjab and was trying to arrange arms and ammunition from his Pakistan-based associates for executing his nefarious plans, the official said.
Nijjar is also associated with ‘Sikhs For Justice’ and has been trying to radicalise the Sikh community across the world in favour of creation of ‘Khalistan’, the NIA official said.
He has been trying to incite Sikhs to vote for secession, agitate against the Government of India and carry out violent activities through various posts, audio messages and videos posted on social media, the official said.
Nijjar has been designated as a ‘terrorist’ under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the NIA official said, adding that further investigation in the case continues.
Press Trust of India
