Cross-border terrorist activities linked to Imam Mahmuder Kafila: NIA conducts raids in Kerala, Assam, and West Bengal

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids at 16 locations, including in Kerala, Assam, and West Bengal. The raids were part of an investigation into cross-border terrorist activities linked to Imam Mahmuder Kafila (IMK), a group suspected to be a splinter faction of the banned organisation Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB).

Raids are being conducted at one location in Kerala, ten in Assam, and five in West Bengal. The action is part of a case involving allegations of attempts to lure youths into extremist ideologies. Reports indicate a link between the case and efforts to expand the organization's network within India. The NIA had previously filed a charge sheet against 11 accused individuals in the case; they were arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The NIA alleges that IMK was formed by senior JMB leader Imam Mahmood Habibullah to expand its operations in India. The agency alleged that the accused organised secret meetings, religious ideology classes, used literature containing extremist ideas and used digital platforms to promote the organisation's agenda and spread anti-India propaganda.

The NIA stated that documents, electronic devices, and digital evidence related to the conspiracy were recovered. The agency further reported that the accused had been working to foster allegiance to terrorist organisations and to recruit individuals into them.