The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday conducted searches at 17 locations in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi in connection with its probe into a new ISIS module styled as ‘Harkat ul Harb e Islam’, which was in an advanced stage of carrying out a series of blasts.
The group was allegedly planning to carry out blasts in north India, especially in the national capital.
Talking to media, Inspector General of NIA Alok Mittal said that searches were conducted in Delhi’s Seelampur and UP’s Amroha, Hapur, Meerut and Lucknow. Some of the searches are still underway.
A total of 10 accused were arrested after an initial interrogation of the 16 suspects. Gang leader of the module, one Mufti Sohail who stays in Delhi and is a native of Amroha in UP where he works at a mosque, was also among the arrested.
Large quantities of explosive material, weapons and ammunition including a country made rocket launcher have been recovered so far, the IG informed.
Total amount worth Rs 7.5 lakh was recovered, and nearly 25 kg of explosives, 100 mobile phones, 135 SIM cards, laptops and memory cards were also seized in the raids.
According to the agency, the terror module’s targets were political persons, other important personalities and security installations.
The level of preparation suggests that their aim was to carry out explosions in the near future by remote control blasts and fidayeen attacks, the IG said.
“This is a new ISIS-inspired module, they were in touch with a foreign agent. Identities are yet to be established,” IG Alok Mittal said.