INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
NIA has busted a terror module operating out of West Bengal and Kerala at the directions of Al-Qaeda
As many as nine terrorists part of this module have been taken into custody for planning terror strikes and targeted killings under the
banner of 'jihad'.In its statements, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has stated that the module was busted at a time when it was
actively collecting funds for procuring sophisticated arms and ammunition
The terrorists were about to finalise the deal and receipt of a major arms consignment from Delhi, the NIA added.Further examination of
information available about the terrorists revealed that all nine hail from lower-income groups and originally belong to Murshidabad
Apart from two, the others did odd jobs such as that of daily wage labourer, salesman, cook, farmer, driver, or tailor.They were planning to
target government and security installations across India, especially in Delhi, Bihar and Bengaluru in the name of 'jihad'.Spokesperson of
the NIA, DIG Sonia Narang said, "The module was actively indulging in fundraising and a few members of the gang were planning to travel to
New Delhi to procure arms and ammunition
These arrests have pre-empted possible terrorist attacks in various parts of the country."However, top sources confirmed to India Today TV
that other parts of country were also under the terror radar of this module.Sofiq: Raised funds, bought arms, radicalised youngstersInspired
by Al-Qaeda's violent ideology, Murshid Hasan alias Sofiq was operating as the head of this module
He was involved in the collection of funds and subsequent procurement of arms and ammunition
Sofiq also radicalised young minds in order to recruit them and even posted videos on social media propagating the terror outfit's rhetoric
about "infidels" and 'jihad'.He worked as a daily-wage labourer in Kerala.Murshid Hasan alias Sofiq in police custody (Photo Credits:
Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu/India Today)The NIA has also revealed that Sofiq had registered himself on an encrypted communication platform to
confer with his associates and handlers based in Pakistan
He was constantly in touch with a man identified as 'Hamza' who is believed to be his Pakistan-based handler for Al Qaeda
In fact, Sofiq had plans to visit "Thanda Ilaqa", a coded reference to the Kashmir valley where he was to receive an arms consignment from
Hamza's contact.Owing to the nationwide lockdown, the delivery was shifted to Delhi
However, Sofiq and his associates were arrested before they could reach the national capital.Mosaraf Hoseen: Cook who was negotiating price
of bulletsA cook by profession, Mosaraf Hoseen was planning to purchase weapons from across the border in Bangladesh for Rs 1 lakh to carry
He was negotiating about the pricing of bullets at 9mm pistols prior to his arrest.Mosaraf Hoseen in police custody (Photo Credits: Kamaljit
Kaur Sandhu/India Today)He too was found using an encrypted platform to communicate with Pakistan-based handler 'Hamza'.Mainul Mondal:
Raised funds for 'jihad'An active member of the terror module based in West Bengal, Mainul Mondal had even contributed Rs 10,000 for
procurement of arms from Bangladesh.Mainul Mondal in police custody (Photo Credits: Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu/India Today)Also a cook, he was
involved in raising funds for the module.Leu Yean Ansary: College electrician who made 'bulletproof jacket'The NIA has revealed that
Bengal-based Leu Yean Ansary alias Leion who was part of the terror module, had already procured a country-made pistol which was recovered
from him apart from a self-fabricated armour jacket.Leu Yean Ansary in police custody (Photo Credits: Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu/India
Today)Officers said the bulletproof jacket revealed Ansary's readiness to engage in armed confrontation with security forces.Ansary was
employed as an electrician at a local college.Najmus Sakib: Highly radicalised grad studentAnother active member of the terror outfit,
Najmus Sakib is highly radicalised and was in constant touch with other members to discuss the procurement of arms and ammunition.Najmus
Sakib in police custody (Photo Credits: Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu/India Today)He is pursuing graduation in computer science.Iyakub Biswas:
Salesman radicalizing youth to promote 'jihad'A salesman at a garment store, Iyakub Biswas had contributed money for the procurement of
He was also found responsible for radicalizing individuals for the purpose of promoting 'jihad'.Iyakub Biswas in police custody (Photo
Credits: Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu/India Today)Originally from West Bengal, Biswas was arrested from Kerala.Abu Sufiyan, Atitur Rehman: Duo
arrested with bomb-making literature, equipmentBoth residents of Murshidabad in West Bengal, Abu Sufiyan and Atitur Rehman were planning to
set up a shed for explosives
Articles such as pipes, wires, switches and nut-bolts were recovered during the search of Sufiyan's home apart from literature for making
home-made bombs.The NIA also recovered explosive material which was to be used in the fabrication of these bombs.Abu Sufiyan (left), Atitur
Rehman (right) in police custody (Photo Credits: Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu/India Today)Earlier a tailor, Sufiyan was working as a farmer in
Rahman, on the other hand, is a second-year student pursuing graduation in arts.Al Mamun Kamal: Facilitator of meeting venueAnother active
member of the module, Al Mamun Kamal worked as a mason and a driver
He provided a secure venue for meeting at his home for other members of the module to discuss fundraising
This meeting was held on September 18, 2020, and was attended by Leon, Mainual, Al Mamun and a few others.Al Mamun Kamal in police custody
(Photo Credits: Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu/India Today)Funds were collected in this meeting for the furtherance of a terrorist conspiracy of the
group, the NIA has stated.
