NIA crackdown on ISIS, conducts raids in Coimbatore
The NIA is probing the link between 8 youths and the Islamic State
The NIA is probing the link between 8 youths and the Islamic State
The NIA is probing the link between 8 youths and the Islamic State
The NIA is probing the link between 8 youths and the Islamic State
Acting on specific tip-off, officials from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) are conducting searches at the properties and residences of at least eight members who owe allegiance to a Muslim outfit in Coimbatore since Wednesday morning.
The searches are being conducted with the assistance of state police, according to sources. This is part of the follow-up of searches conducted in connection with the murder of a Hindu outfit leader. Sources confirm that the latest searches are to find if there is any connection to the Sri Lankan blasts.
Searches were under way at the residences of Sadham, Akbar, Akram, Azarudhin,Abhubakkar, Idiyathullah and Sakhimshah since 5.30 am. All electronic equipment, computers, mobile phones of all eight members are being probed by NIA. The searches are being conducted to understand if the youths have any connection to the Islamic State (ISIS).
NIA sources allege that these people were following the banned National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ), the Sri Lankan Muslim organisation in Facebook, floated by Zaharan Hashim, the mastermind of the deadly Easter Sunday blasts in Sri Lanka. Sources confirm that the NIA team is from Kochi. It may be recalled that the team earlier conducted searches in Kerala soon after the blasts in Sri Lanka.