NIA raids at 17 locations in UP, Delhi to probe new IS-inspired module; 10 arrested

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday detained 10 persons from Uttar Pradesh and New Delhi for their suspected involvement with a new ISIS inspired terror module planning to carry out blasts in north India, especially in the national capital, officials said. 

The NIA conducted searches across 17 locations in UP's Amroha, Hapur, Meerut and Lucknow; and New Delhi in connection with its probe into the new module called 'Harkat ul Harb e Islam', a senior official said. 

"We conducted searches at 17 locations in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi in connection with a new ISIS module styled as 'Harkat ul Harb e Islam' which was in an advance stage of carrying out a series of blasts," the official said. 

After initial interrogation of the 16 suspects, we have decided to arrest 10 accused, he said. 

Large quantities of explosive material, weapons and ammunition including a country made rocket launcher have been recovered so far, he added. 

The official said that Rs 7.5 lakh, nearly 100 mobile phone, 135 SIM cards, laptops and memory cards were seized in the raids, adding that searches at some locations were still underway.

Of the 10 persons detained by the anti-terror probe agency, five were picked up from the western Uttar Pradesh district of Amroha following a joint operation with the UP Anti-Terrorist Squad, Inspector General ATS Asim Arun said in Lucknow.

Five more were detained from north-east Delhi with the help of Delhi Police's Special Cell, officials said.

The group was under NIA surveillance for some time following inputs of their suspicious activities, officials said. 

When asked about the targets, an NIA official said, "Their targets were political persons and other important personalities and vital and security intallations. Level of preparation suggests their aim was to carry out explosions in near future by remote control blasts & fidayeen attacks. This is a new ISIS inspired module, they were in touch with a foreign agent. Identities are yet to be established." 

He identified the head of the module as Mufti Sohail who stays in Delhi and is a native of Amroha in UP where he works at a mosque.

(With PTI inputs)