KOCHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has received a statement that the supporters of the terrorist organization ISIS in Kerala were planning plans to loot temples and kill a prominent Christian priest. The statement was given by Syed Nabeel Ahmed, a resident of Thrissur, who was arrested in Chennai. He is being examined in detail by the NIA.

The statement given by Syed Nabeel is that they had planned to carry out terrorist activities in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. They had decided to loot temples in Palakkad, Thrissur and bank ATMs outside Kerala to find money. A Christian priest was also planned to be killed. He also testified that plans were made to destroy communal harmony in Kerala.

Test to confirm the statement

The NIA will check whether the statements given by Syed Nabeel are factual. It will also be checked whether it agrees with the statement given by Ashraf alias Ashraf, who was arrested earlier in Thrissur. NIA sources said that the electronic equipment including the mobile phone seized when Syed was arrested will be scientifically tested to confirm whether there is any truth in the statements.

On July 20, the NIA revealed in a press release that the ISIS group had planned to carry out explosions, including at pilgrimage centres. Ashif (36) was arrested from Sathyamangalam in Tamil Nadu and the plan was foiled. The search is on for their accomplices Shiyas TS from Thrissur and Rais from Palakkad. Syed, the head of ISIS's Thrissur unit, was caught while he was preparing to go abroad.