NIA Tells Court PFI Sought Arms From Neighbouring Countries
National Investigation Agency informed a Delhi court that the Popular Front of India had allegedly tried to procure arms from neighbouring countries and provide weapons training to its cadres
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2025-12-21 15:21 GMT
NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency informed a Delhi court that the Popular Front of India had allegedly tried to procure arms from neighbouring countries and provide weapons training to its cadres. The submissions were made by NIA special public prosecutor Rahul Tyagi before Special Judge (NIA) Prashant Sharma on Saturday during arguments on charges against 20 accused PFI leaders.
Speaking to reporters outside the court, Tyagi said he submitted that PFI leaders were involved in efforts to source arms from neighbouring countries and impart arms training to their cadres. He further alleged that some cadres were sent to Syria to learn combat tactics from Islamic State, with the intention of replicating those methods in India.
According to the prosecutor, the organisation had formed specialised hit squads that maintained lists of leaders from the BJP, RSS, and VHP, and allegedly conducted surveillance on them.
Tyagi also alleged that the PFI was formed with the objective of radicalising youth. “The case against the PFI and its leadership is that the organisation was created to radicalise Muslim youth with the aim of establishing a caliphate in India and enforcing Sharia law,” he said.
He further submitted that the group organised camps to provide arms training, indoctrination, and preparation to wage what he described as “jihad” against India, and that funds were allegedly collected for these activities. These submissions, he said, were placed on record before the court.
The court has posted the matter for further proceedings on December 23.
In September 2022, the Central government banned the PFI and several of its affiliated organisations for five years under anti-terror laws, citing alleged links with global terror groups, including ISIS.