NIA Raids Continue Against Radical Islamist Group: 4 More Detained; Rocket Launcher, Suicide Vest Materials Seized

At least four men were detained for interrogation after several teams of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) raided around six locations in four districts of western Uttar Pradesh. The men were detained for interrogation in relation to the recently uncovered ISIS-inspired module.

Since December, the agency detained at least twelve men since in regard with the probe against the ISIS-inspired group. The group was allegedly planning serial blasts and suicide attacks targeting government installations and politicians in Delhi and other parts of Northern India as reported by Hindustan Times.

The NIA conducted early morning raids in Kaloli village in Bulandshahr, Athsaini and Badarkha villages of Garhmukteshwar area in Hapur, Jasora and Ajnera villages of Meerut and Battkheri village of Amroha.

Furthermore, the agency conducted searches in Punjab.

These fresh raids come days after the recent arrest of the 24-year-old Muhammad Absar. While, during the December raids the NIA has seized a locally made rocket launcher, material for suicide vests, 25 kg of explosive material including ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, mobile phone circuits, sugar material paste, 51 pipes, Rs 7.5 lakh in cash and IS related literature.

The agency had arrested 10 people during its 26 December raid from Delhi’s Jaffarabad and UP’s Amroha for allegedly being part of a group called Harkat-ul-Harb-e-Islam. The name of the group loosely translates to ‘Movement for Islamic War’.