The NIA arrested Shaikh, who was suspected to be on a major mission, on Friday. Shaikh allegedly radicalised youths online, which, informers and agents said, came to light after four months of monitoring his online activities.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had been monitoring the activities of 33-year-old software programmer Mudabbir Shaikh for six months, it has been revealed. A beggar frequenting the neighbourhood mosque and a person who offered namaaz there, both believed to be officers of the NIA or Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in disguise, were on his tail for two months, snooping around his residence early on Friday, suspecting that he would meet other agents from the IS.
The NIA arrested Shaikh, who was suspected to be on a major mission, on Friday. Shaikh allegedly radicalised youths online, which, informers and agents said, came to light after four months of monitoring his online activities.
Highly-placed sources in the ATS confirmed that a 'beggar' and a 'five-time namaazi' had been keeping a tight watch on Shaikh's activities.
"His residence was next to a mosque and a school. We suspected that he was brainwashing children and youths to execute a major mission. Keeping a watch on him in disguise was important as he is a well-connected member of the IS group operating within India," said an officer.
"We were expecting him to meet other members of the terror outfit earlier this month, but we believe that the meet, which could have led us to the messenger, was cancelled."
Mumbra's movie & book libraries under scanner
The state ATS and other investigating agencies are keeping a close watch on DVD libraries and book shops in Mumbra. Officers will soon conduct raids to find out what material they are stocking to promote terrorism in the country.
"The books and other content will be checked. It is often seen that the facade of a DVD library is used to actually sell radical and graphic material to youths for the purpose of brainwashing them," said an officer from Thane ATS.
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