NIA Raids 10 Sites in Five States Over Al-Qaida Terror Plot Involving Bangladeshi Infiltrators

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) carried out coordinated searches at 10 locations across five states, including Meghalaya, as part of a probe into an Al-Qaida-linked terror conspiracy allegedly orchestrated by illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, officials announced on Thursday.

On Wednesday, NIA teams targeted premises associated with suspects and their contacts in Meghalaya, West Bengal, Tripura, Haryana, and Gujarat, according to a spokesperson's statement.

Officials confiscated multiple digital devices and documents during the operations, which have now been forwarded for forensic examination.

The case, initiated in 2023, revolves around four Bangladeshi nationals—Mohd. Sojibmiyan, Munna Khalid Ansari, Azarul Islam, and Abdul Latif—who allegedly entered India unlawfully from Bangladesh using counterfeit Indian identification papers, the NIA claimed.

These individuals were reportedly affiliated with the banned Al-Qaida terrorist group. They are accused of gathering and funnelling funds to Al-Qaida operatives in Bangladesh while actively recruiting and radicalising Muslim youth, the statement added.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma acknowledged the raids and noted that the NIA is investigating connections to a recent bomb explosion in New Delhi, among other sites in the state.

Declining to share specifics, he emphasised that the NIA is gathering additional evidence related to the incident and affirmed the state government's full cooperation with the agency.

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