IS terror module: NIA to seek custody of 5 arrested persons

The gang was preparing IEDs for terrorist acts and were being guided by an online handler suspected to be based in Iraq/Syria

Five city-based persons, who were arrested by NIA on charges of involvement in a terror module suspected to be linked to the Islamic State (IS) and conspiring to carry out bomb attacks, would be produced before a local court on Thrusday.

On Wednesday, five youths were arrested and six others, including a techie, were detained by NIA after searches at different locations in the old city here.

Mohammed Ibrahim Yazdani alias Ibbu, Habeeb Mohammed alias Sir, Mohammed Ilyas Yazdani, Abdullah Bin Ahmed Al Amoodi and Muzaffar Hussain Rizwan were arrested by the agency on Wednesday after a series of searches at 10 locations in the city, with the assistance from Hyderabad Police.

During preliminary examination, it has been found that the gang was preparing IEDs for commission of terrorist acts and were being guided by an online handler suspected to be based in Iraq/Syria, NIA said in a statement last night, adding that further investigation is being continued.

"The arrested accused will be produced before NIA Special Court (in Hyderabad) and NIA shall seek police custody for their further examination in custody," the agency said.

The NIA had earlier registered a case based on credible information that some youths hailing from Hyderabad and their accomplices have entered into criminal conspiracy to wage war against the Government of India by collecting weapons and explosive materials to commit terrorist acts by targeting public places, including religious sites, sensitive government buildings etc, in various parts of the country.

During searches, firearms, ammunition, precursor chemicals for making explosives, digital exhibits and Rs 15 lakh cash were recovered from the searched locations.

"Chemicals suspected to be urea/ammonium nitrate powder and their mixture with sugar, as well as bottles containing mineral acid, acetone, hydrogen peroxide which are precursor substances for making deadly explosive substances were recovered," NIA had said.

The agency also recovered two semi-automatic pistols with ammunition, an air gun with telescopic sight and shooting practice target boards, a large number of digital items including six laptops, about 40 mobile phones, 32 SIM cards, and a large number of hard disks, memory cards, pen drives, and digital tabs were also seized during searches, it said.

Total 11 persons, were summoned by NIA for examination under notice to answer queries relating to the search operation and the seizures made from their places of stay.

Based on the revelations during the course of their examination and on the basis of evidence collected during the search, five persons were arrested for their involvement in the conspiracy, the NIA said.