'Uproot PFI without firing single bullet': How NSA Doval planned 'anti-terror' crackdown in secret visit to Kochi

NEW DELHI: On September 2, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kochi to commission INS Vikrant. That event, which was watched by the whole world, raised India's fame to the sky. On that day, another person had reached Kochi very secretly along with Modi. It was Ajit Doval, one of Modi's trusted confidants and the National Security Advisor.

Vikrant was chalking out how to conduct widespread raids on Popular Front India (PFI) centres that we have seen in the past few days. In several high-security meetings attended by the top officials of the Kerala Police, Doval outlined his plan to launch a mega crackdown on the PFI.

Doval then returned to Mumbai where the plans were implemented one by one. This plan, named 'Operation Octopus', was similar to the plans to abrogate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and the surgical strike in Uri. Doval was keeping Union Home Minister Amit Shah informed of every move. It is indicated that Doval held long discussions with the Islamic leaders of the country months ago. Operation Octopus was decided on the basis of the information received from them.

Around 200 personnel from NIA, ED and Anti-Terror Squad of at least ten state police were selected for 'Operation Octopus'.They conducted extensive raids in PFI pockets in 15 states and over a hunder PFA leaders were arrested. Information received from top sources says that even aircrafts have been kept prepared to take the leaders to different spots for interrogation.

NSA Doval monitored the operation 24x7 with the help of states. He had also given special instructions to the security agencies that the task should be completed without firing a single bullet.