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 out 'jihad'.

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 weapons.

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 recent years.

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.