The National Investigation Agency (NIA) initiated multiple raids across seven states on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in connection with a case pertaining to the radicalisation of prisoners by a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist in Karnataka. An official statement confirmed that the raids are being conducted at 17 locations across the seven states, with further details awaited as the operations unfold.
The raids are part of the ongoing investigation into the Bengaluru prison radicalisation case, which garnered attention after the seizure of arms and ammunition, hand grenades, and walkie-talkies from seven accused individuals in July last year. The case, initially registered by the Bengaluru Police, gained momentum when the NIA took over the investigation in October last year.
In January, the NIA filed a charge-sheet against eight individuals, including T. Naseer from Kerala’s Kannur, who is serving a life sentence in Bengaluru Central Prison since 2013, and Junaid Ahmed alias “JD” and Salman Khan, suspected to have fled abroad.
According to the NIA, investigations revealed that Naseer, a key figure involved in multiple blast cases, had radicalised and recruited the other accused while they were incarcerated in the Bengaluru prison in 2017. Naseer strategically assessed the potential of fellow inmates and orchestrated their transfer to his barrack with the aim of radicalising and recruiting them into the proscribed terror group, LeT.
The agency uncovered Naseer’s involvement in a conspiracy to carry out a “fidayeen (suicide)“ attack and facilitate his escape from police custody en route to court. Ahmed, one of the accused, instructed his accomplices to steal used police caps for the attack and commit arson on government buses as part of a practice run. The terror plot was thwarted with the seizure of arms in July last year.
The coordinated raids underscore the NIA’s commitment to combatting terrorism and ensuring national security. The operation signifies a significant step in unraveling the complexities of radicalisation networks and thwarting potential threats posed by terrorist elements within prison environments.
As the investigation unfolds, the NIA’s efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and prevent future attacks remain paramount, reflecting the collective resolve to safeguard the nation’s integrity and uphold the principles of peace and security.
