On Tuesday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids at 17 locations in seven states as part of its investigation into the Bengaluru prison radicalization case, according to sources. T Naseer, a life-term convict and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist is alleged to have radicalized inmates in Bengaluru central prison, encouraging them to carry out terror attacks.
The case initially surfaced when Bengaluru City Police found arms, including 7 pistols, 4 hand grenades, a magazine, 45 live rounds, and 4 walkie-talkies in July 2023. The NIA took over the probe on October 25, 2023, and had previously conducted raids on December 13, 2023.
Although it remains unclear if Tuesday’s raids are linked to the recent cafe blast in Bengaluru, sources suggest a potential investigation into the suspected connections. The NIA recently assumed control of the Rameshwaram cafe blast probe on Monday. In the prison radicalization case, eight individuals, including Naseer and two fugitives, have already been charged by the federal agency.
Naseer, serving a life sentence since 2013 and originally from Kerala’s Kannur, reportedly radicalized inmates like Junaid Ahmed and Salman Khan. The latter two are believed to have fled abroad under Naseer’s influence. Others connected to Naseer, including Syed Suhail Khan, Mohammed Umar, Zahid Tabrez, Syed Mudassir Pasha, and Mohammed Faisal Rabbani, have also been charged under various acts.
According to the NIA, Naseer strategically got these individuals transferred to his barracks to radicalize and recruit them into LeT. He successfully recruited Junaid and Salman, conspiring with them to radicalize and recruit the other accused, as stated in an NIA statement in January.
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