New Delhi, September 16: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday carried out extensive searches across eight states in connection with the Vizianagaram ISIS conspiracy case, which involves alleged plans to carry out terror attacks in India using Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). The case also points to radicalisation and recruitment of vulnerable youth through various social media platforms.
According to an official NIA statement, the searches were conducted at 16 locations simultaneously in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Delhi. Several digital devices, documents, cash, and other incriminating materials were seized during the coordinated operation, which was carried out in close cooperation with the Andhra Pradesh Police.
The raids mark a significant step in the NIA’s efforts to dismantle terror networks in the country. They come less than a month after the arrest of a key accused, Arif Husain alias Abu Talib, who was caught on August 27 while attempting to flee to Riyadh. Investigations revealed that Husain had conspired with associates to arrange the supply of weapons through the Nepal border.
The case was initially registered by Vizianagaram Police in July, after the arrest of Siraj-ur-Rahman, who was found in possession of chemical substances suspected to be used for fabricating IEDs. His interrogation exposed a larger conspiracy to wage war against the Government of India, leading to the arrest of another accused, Syed Sameer.
Investigations have so far indicated that Siraj and Sameer were actively engaged in indoctrinating and recruiting youth through social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, Telegram, and Signal.
The NIA confirmed that the probe is ongoing under various provisions of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, the Explosive Substances Act, 1908, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
