New Delhi, 08 July (H.S.): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday carried out a nationwide search operation in connection with a case involving the online promotion of extremist Islamist ideology aimed at establishing an Islamic State in India.

According to the investigating agency, NIA teams conducted coordinated searches at a total of 20 locations across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Delhi.

The NIA took over the investigation from the Vijayawada Police in May this year.

The agency said several digital devices were seized during Wednesday's searches. These devices will undergo forensic examination to gather further evidence and uncover additional leads related to the alleged conspiracy to promote extremist ideology.

So far, 11 accused persons and one juvenile have been arrested in connection with the case.

The case was originally registered by the Vijayawada Police in March following a search at the residence of the principal accused, Rahmatullah Sharif Mohammed. During the search, investigators allegedly recovered incriminating material linked to the banned terrorist organisations AQIS (Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent) and ISIS (Islamic State).

The NIA's investigation has found that the arrested accused and their associates were allegedly targeting vulnerable youth across the country by disseminating violent jihadist propaganda and misleading content through online platforms in an effort to radicalise them.

According to the agency, the accused were also in online contact with their foreign handlers. Their alleged objective was to propagate extremist jihadist ideology and further anti-India activities. The investigation further alleges that the conspiracy was aimed at destabilising the country and establishing a so-called Caliphate.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar