NIA files charge sheet against alleged ISIS operative

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday filed its first charge sheet against an alleged ISIS operative before a Special Court for purported offences of conspiracy to commit terror acts and recruiting youths to join the outfit.

The agency filed the charge sheet before District Judge Amar Nath against Naser Packeer, who was arrested in December last year, alleging he was involved in a conspiracy to recruit Muslim youths in India to join ISIS and shift them to Iraq and Syria to carry out terror attacks and wage war in middle- eastern countries and in India.

According to sources, in its charge sheet filed before the court during in-chamber proceedings, the agency said, "Accused Naser had used the web-based social media platforms and joined a number of chat groups and had connected with his associates within and outside India."

"He (Naser), along with other associates, was involved in a conspiracy to recruit Muslim youths in India to join ISIS, transfer them to Iraq and Syria to commit terror attacks and wage war in the middle-eastern countries as well as in India," the charge sheet said.

The court has now fixed June 9 for considering the charge sheet filed by the NIA and extended the judicial custody of the accused till that date.

The agency had filed an FIR in the matter on December 9 last year against unknown persons on inputs received from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

On October 5, 2015, Naser was apprehended by Sudani authorities for concealing his identity and trying to join ISIS in Syria.

Later, he was deported to India on December 10, 2015.

The charge sheet has been filed for the alleged offences punishable under sections of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Indian Penal Code (IPC).