NIA busts Madhya Pradesh-based terror module spreading ISIS ideology

NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday busted a Madhya Pradesh-based terror module disseminating ISIS’s jihadi ideology through social media platforms as well as on-ground ‘dawah’ programmes with an aim to motivate and recruit impressionable youths to carry out terrorist acts in the country.
Three highly-radicalised persons – Syed Mamoor Ali, Mohammad Adil Khan and Mohammad Shahid – have been arrested from Jabalpur in an intelligence-based, joint operation with the anti-terror squad (ATS) of Madhya Pradesh police. The arrests – in connection with a case registered by NIA on May 24 based on its probe into the pro-ISIS activities of Adil who first came to its notice in August 2022 -- followed overnight raids at 13 locations in Jabalpur on May 26-27.
A cache of sharp-edged weapons, ammunition (including prohibited bore), incriminating documents and digital devices were seized during the searches.
As per the NIA probe, Adil and his associates were involved in disseminating ISIS propaganda through social media platforms, as well as through on-ground ‘dawah’ programmes, in order to unleash violent terror attacks in India. The module had been conducting meetings/dars in local mosques and houses and hatching plans and conspiracies to spread terror in the country.
Investigations further revealed that the three accused were highly influenced by ISIS and determined to carry out violent jihad. They were engaged in collecting funds, disseminating ISIS propaganda material, motivating and recruiting youth, and trying to procure arms and ammunition with the objective of carrying out terrorist acts.
The NIA on Saturday said Syed Mamoor Ali had created a local group/tanzeem by the name of ‘Fisabilillah’ and was also operating a WhatsApp group by the same name. Along with his associates, he was trying to procure pistols and was in contact with a Jabalpur-based illegal arms supplier for this purpose.
Adil, a staunch ISIS follower and supporter, had managed to assemble an active group of Jabalpur-based, like-minded and radicalised individuals. Some of the module members were already contemplating hijrat (flight) to conflict theatres, while others had plans to form a local outfit for carrying out violent jihad in India, according to the NIA investigations.
Adil was also running multiple YouTube, Instagram and WhatsApp channels for motivating and recruiting youth into the ISIS fold. Investigations further showed that Shahid had also planned to procure weapons including pistols, IEDs and even grenades for violent attacks in India.