The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted extensive raids on Thursday across 19 locations in Assam, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh. The operation was part of an ongoing investigation into the banned terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and its alleged involvement in radicalizing individuals and spreading extremist propaganda.
In Jammu and Kashmir, raids were carried out in the Bamzoo Mattan area of Anantnag, Kreeri in Baramulla, and Khansahib in Budgam. In Gujarat, the NIA, in collaboration with the Ahmedabad Rural Police, searched the residence of Adil Vepari in Sanand town. Vepari, identified as a member of an online radical group, reportedly works at a madrasa in Chekhala village, Banas Kantha district.
In Uttar Pradesh, protests erupted in Jhansi during a raid at the home of local cleric Mufti Khalid. The cleric addressed the gathered crowd, urging calm and explaining that the NIA was conducting the operation within the bounds of the law.
According to sources, the NIA teams seized incriminating materials, including pamphlets, magazines, and electronic devices, during the raids at these locations. Several individuals have been taken in for questioning regarding their suspected involvement in activities aimed at inciting violence across the country.
The NIA has stated that the suspects were part of a network that sought to radicalize and motivate individuals to carry out violent attacks within India.
(With inputs from ANI)
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