NIA Investigation Reveals Extensive Terror Plot Across Multiple States
Special teams led by DSP and additional SP-level officers are conducting searches throughout the district, with a particular focus on interrogating family members and associates of Siraj ur Rehman, a key suspect with alleged terror links. Investigators are analysing the call data from Siraj's mobile phone to piece together the conspiracy's timeline
Visakhapatnam: National Investigation Agency (NIA) officers continued their investigation for the second day in Vizianagaram district, uncovering more details regarding a sophisticated terror conspiracy targeting multiple states across India.
Special teams led by DSP and additional SP-level officers are conducting searches throughout the district, with a particular focus on interrogating family members and associates of Siraj ur Rehman, a key suspect with alleged terror links. Investigators are analysing the call data from Siraj's mobile phone to piece together the conspiracy's timeline.
Siraj ur Rehman, a mechanical engineering graduate from Vizianagaram, comes from a family with law enforcement ties. His father serves as an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) in a rural police station, while his younger brother works as an SDF constable. Despite attempting police service examinations multiple times, Siraj failed to secure a position as sub-inspector, though he reportedly passed Group One selections. Between August and October 2024, he worked as a telecaller for the emergency service 108.
According to investigation findings, Siraj met Syed Sameer from Boya Goda while in Hyderabad. This connection introduced him to Farhan Moinuddin from Warangal and Badar from Uttar Pradesh. The group reportedly engaged in discussions about alleged injustices against Muslims on social media platforms.
Investigators revealed that Sameer formed an organisation named "Al-Hind Ittehadul Musalman" with six core members. The network expanded when Sameer traveled to Mumbai on November 22 last year, where he met with 10 individuals, including Adnan Qureshi, Dilshan, Mohishin Sheikh, and Zaheer (alias Aman).
The investigation uncovered that Sameer traveled to Delhi on January 26 to meet conspirators Shahbaz and Zeeshan. Siraj followed the next day to Manduli after learning Shahbaz had left the country, where he met with another associate named Salman.
The group allegedly communicated frequently via the Signal app under the direction of Abu Musab, reportedly based in Saudi Arabia. Evidence suggests they decided to manufacture Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) using chemical substances, with Siraj procuring explosives online.
Funding for the operation allegedly came from Imran Akram, a Hyderabadi residing in Oman. Investigators claim the group was ordered to detonate the devices in crowded areas across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka to maximise casualties.
The investigation revealed that Siraj and another member named Sami had allegedly pledged to sacrifice their lives if necessary as part of what they termed "Jihadi activities." Before executing the main attacks, they were instructed to test the explosive devices by detonating dummy bombs.
