Searches are underway at 21 locations in Coimbatore, 3 in Chennai, and 1 in Tenkasi; the NIA is also searching 4 locations in Hyderabad.
Published Sep 16, 2023 | 3:07 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 16, 2023 | 3:07 PM
NIA
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday, 16 September, launched coordinated searches at multiple locations, suspected to be linked to ISIS recruitment and radicalisation, in Tamil Nadu and the Telangana capital Hyderabad.
According to sources, searches were being conducted at 25 places in various districts, including Coimbatore, Chennai, and Tenkasi, based on information gleaned while interrogating a few suspects in an earlier case (Crime Number RC-01/2023/NIA/CHE).
The NIA’s Chennai unit was tracking the mobile networks of suspects, and it found that several calls were received from suspected IS modules in Coimbatore and Tenkasi. The agency also found that a few of the suspects were providing Arabic classes at a few mosques in Coimbatore.
It was alleged that the Arab classes were a cover to promote IS propaganda and to radicalise the students.
The NIA was monitoring the persons and the places connected with the suspects. The NIA also found that the suspects had made efforts to establish contact with the terror organisation and the calls were intercepted by the agency.
In Coimbatore, raids were conducted at the residence of a DMK woman councillor of the Coimbatore Corporation.
The woman, identified as M Mubaseera, has been representing the 83rd ward. On Saturday morning around 5.30 am, a team of five NIA sleuths started searching her residence at Ramasamy Street in Kottaimedu.
According to sources, she was questioned on her alleged links with the suspects.
Further, another team searched the residence of one Thamimoon Ansari, a resident of Kottaimedu. Ansari is the deputy coordinator of the DMK’s Youth Wing at the 86 ward in the city.
In Tenkasi, the agency raided the house of one Muhammed Idris, a resident of Kadayanallur. During the search, the agency confiscated two laptops, a mobile phone, and two pen drives. Further, the officials took Idris for questioning.
Sources said that in Tamil Nadu, the raids were underway at 21 locations in Coimbatore, three locations in Chennai, and one in Tenkasi.
Sources told South First that four locations in Hyderabad were also being raided by the agency as part of the same investigation.
Four teams of NIA, around 6 am on Saturday, conducted raids at the residences of individuals with suspected connections with IS modules and collected details.
The NIA is said to have found that the accused, residing in the Malakpet and Tolichowki areas of the city, were trying to get in touch with the IS through social media.
