NIA conducts multi-state raids in Pakistan-backed GAZWA-E-HIND module case, 3 LeT, Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind terrorist associates held in Kashmir

 

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday conducted multi-state raids, leading to the seizure of incriminating documents and digital devices, in the Pakistan-backed Gazwa-e-Hind module case.

 

The raids also revealed links of the suspects, whose premises were searched today, with Pakistan-based handlers. These suspects were in contact with the handlers, and were involved in propagating the radical, anti-India idea of Gazwa-e-Hind.

 

The raids were conducted at the premises of suspects in Dewas district of Madhya Pradesh, Gir Somnath district of Gujarat, Azamgarh district of Uttar Pradesh and Kozhikode district of Kerala. Apart from mobile phones and SIM cards, several documents were also seized during the NIA crackdown, as part of the ongoing investigations in the case RC- 32/2022/NIA-DLI, commonly referred to as the Gazwa-e-Hind case, Patna (Bihar).

 

The case was initially registered as FIR No 840/2022 on 14th July 2022 by Phulwarisharif police in Patna district of Bihar, following the arrest of one Marghoob Ahmad Danish @ Tahir. Marghoob was the admin of WhatsApp Group 'Ghazwa-e-Hind", created by a Pakistani national identified as Zain.

 

The accused, Marghoob, had added many persons from India as well as other countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh and Yemen, to the group, which was also active on other social media platforms such as Telegram and BiP Messenger. Aimed at radicalizing impressionable youth in the name of the establishment of Ghazwa-e-Hind over the territory of India, the group was being operated by Pakistan-based suspects, according to NIA investigations.

 

As per the investigations, Marghoob was trying to motivate the group members with an ulterior objective of raising Sleeper Cells for carrying out terrorist activities across India. Further, the accused had created another WhatsApp group in the name of 'BDGhazwa E HindBD', to which he had added Bangladeshi nationals.

 

The NIA has been probing the case since 22nd July 2022, when it took over the investigations. The anti-terror agency had filled a chargesheet against accused Marghoob Ahmad Danish on 6th January 2023 under sections 121, 121A, 122 of IPC and sections 13, 18, 18B & 20 of UA(P) Act, 1967. Investigations in the case are continuing.

 

Jammu and Kashmir Police said they had arrested three terrorist associates linked with the proscribed terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba and recovered arms, ammunition and other incriminating materials from their possession in Baramulla district.

On November 25, during joint Naka checking and patrolling with 13 SIKHLI, 185 BN BSF and Baramulla Police at Kalgai near Jhula Foot Bridge, they intercepted two suspected persons coming from Kamalkote towards NHW carrying bags who were identified as Zameer Ahmad Khanday, son of Azeem Khanday resident of Madiyan Kamalkote and Mohammad Naseem Khanday, son of Abdul Majeed Khanday resident of Madiyan Kamalkote, said official.

During the search, three Chinese grenades and cash worth Rs 2.5 lakh were recovered from them. To this effect, a FIR under relevant sections of the law was registered at Police Station Uri.

During sustained questioning, both the accused disclosed that these illegally acquired grenades and cash had been provided to them by one Manzoor Ahmad Bhatti, the son of Karam Din Bhatti, a resident of Madiyan Kamalkote, so that they could execute any terrorist act.

Accordingly, Manzoor Ahmad Bhatti was picked up for questioning. During questioning, he disclosed that he has supplied these illegally acquired grenades and cash to these persons for the commission of terrorist acts and has also kept one hand grenade and cash at a location known to him near his house.

Meanwhile, a terrorist associate of Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGH) has been arrested along with incriminating material, arms and ammunition at the Habdipora crossing in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, officials said.

"A terrorist associate of Ansar-Gazwatul-Hind (AGH) has been arrested along with incriminating material, arms and ammunition by a joint team of police, 44 RR and 14 BN CRPF, at Habdipora crossing," Shopian Police said.

Meanwhile, a case under the UA(P) Act was registered at the Shopian police station and further investigation is underway.

(With ANI inputs)