NIA takes over Andhra Pradesh terror network investigation
The National Investigation Agency has taken over an Andhra Pradesh police probe into an alleged extremist network. Twelve suspects from several states were arrested for purported links with banned organisations, while investigators continue examining radicalisation, recruitment and international connections linked to the case
Amaravati: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the probe into an alleged extremist network from the Andhra Pradesh police, which had arrested 12 suspects from several states for their purported links with banned terror organisations, an intelligence department official said on Wednesday.
Andhra Pradesh police had deployed teams across Bihar, Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Telangana and Rajasthan to arrest the suspects, including three from the southern state allegedly linked to the network.
Police revealed that key accused Mohammad Rahmatulla Sharif and his associates were in contact with operatives engaged in spreading jihadi propaganda and motivating youth through online videos.
Police suspect that women were being encouraged to join a separate “Khawateen” wing as part of the group’s expansion strategy.
“The case was transferred to the National Investigation Agency last week for further probe into the suspects’ alleged terror links, international connections and other aspects of the case,” the official told PTI.
The investigation uncovered a network allegedly involved in radicalisation, recruitment and dissemination of extremist propaganda through online platforms, he said.
Among those arrested were three youth from Vijayawada — Shareef, Mirza Sohail Beg and Mohammad Danish — who were allegedly promoting extremist ideology and maintaining contact with operatives linked to foreign-based handlers.
According to the official, the accused were allegedly associated with supporters of banned terrorist organisations, including Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), and used social media platforms to spread radical content and recruit youth.
The probe also revealed alleged plans to expand the network across multiple states and efforts to motivate youngsters towards militant activities, police said.