KOCHI/THRISSUR: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) announced that it has foiled a plan led by four Malayali ISIS sympathizers to carry out explosions, including at places of worship, and attack community leaders in Kerala.

According to the NIA, the plan to carry out attacks was devised by four persons, including Thrissur Padoor native Mathilakathu Kodayil Ashraf alias Ashif (36), who was arrested from Tamil Nadu on Tuesday. The other arrested people are Thrissur natives Syed Nabeel Ahammed, Shiyas TS and Palakkad native Raees. Raees was taken into custody by the NIA yesterday. The agency has intensified the search for the other two. They were part of the ISIS element in Kerala.

NIA raided the houses of the accused in Thrissur and Palakkad. The NIA said that they seized critical documents and digital devices related to terrorism in the raid. The investigation is being carried out in collaboration with the anti-terrorist squad of the Kerala Police.

Ashif was arrested from Sathyamangalam Thottampalayam in Tamil Nadu. NIA conducted the raids on the basis of information received from him. NIA also got information that the accused collected money to promote ISIS activities in Kerala. The accused explored possibilities by conspiring to blow up some places and attack the leaders of some communities. NIA officials said that the aim of the accused was to spread terrorism and create communal rivalry and division in Kerala. A detailed investigation is ongoing.