NIA arrests ‘Al-Qaida conspirator’ from West Bengal

Kolkata, November 2

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a madrassa teacher, who was allegedly working as an Al-Qaida conspirator to carry out terror attacks in India, from West Bengal.

The accused has been identified as Abdul Momin Mondal, 32, of West Bengal’s Murshidabad, a spokesperson of the NIA said. On September 11, a case was registered pertaining to anti-national activities by a group of 10 Jihadi terrorists inspired by globally proscribed terrorist organisation Al-Qaida, he said. So far, 11 accused have been arrested in connection with the case.

Six from West Bengal and three from Kerala (of West Bengal origin) were arrested in September. Another suspect Shamim Ansari was also arrested the same month.

Mondal was working as a teacher in Raipur Darur Huda Islamia Madrassa in Murshidabad. According to the NIA, Mondal was involved in a series of conspiratorial meetings convened by the members of Al-Qaida in September. Mondal was also trying to recruit new members for the group and was raising funds for terrorist activities. The residential premises of the accused was searched and digital devices were recovered. — TNS