Chargesheet filed against 11 terrorists for planning attacks in India
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday filed a chargesheet against 11 al-Qaeda terrorists for allegedly planning to carry out attacks in India on the instructions of their Pakistan and Bangladesh-based handlers. The terrorists' names are as follows, Murshid Hasan, Mosaraf Hoseen, Mainul Mandal, Lea Yean Ahmed, Najmus Sakib, Iyakub Biswas, Samim Ansari, Abu Sufian, Atiur Rahman, Al Mamun Kamal, and Abdul Momin Mandal.
NIA had received information about al-Qaeda's plan
The chargesheet has been filed under sections of the IPC, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and the Arms Act. "The case was registered based on information about an al-Qaeda-inspired module sprouting and operating in West Bengal and Kerala under Hasan's leadership," NIA spokesperson said.
Multiple terrorist attacks were reportedly being planned: NIA official
"The members of the module were in an advanced stage of conspiracy to execute terrorist attacks in different parts of the country. Hasan was in touch with al-Qaeda handlers based in Pakistan and Bangladesh and received instructions along with radical propaganda material through encrypted social media platforms," the NIA official said. Hasan and his associates conspired to radicalize and recruit more individuals into al-Qaeda.
The terrorists were arrested last year
In raids conducted on September 19 last year in West Bengal and Kerala, nine terrorists were arrested. Subsequently, two more terror operatives were arrested from West Bengal on August 26 and November 1.
They conducted a series of conspiratorial meetings to raise funds
"The intention of the terrorists was to radicalize and recruit others for establishing an Islamic State by waging violent jihad in India," the NIA spokesperson said. They planned to attack kafirs and conducted a series of conspiratorial meetings for raising funds, and charting out the future course of action, including establishing a Markaz (a training center for providing religious and weapons training).
They had also been communicating with an arms dealer
The accused were also in active communication with an arms dealer and were to receive a consignment in New Delhi. However, their plans could not succeed as they were arrested. The accused persons were planning to attack among others, an India-based Bangladeshi blogger for his views expressed on social media, the NIA official said, adding that further investigation against the absconding accused continues.
