NIA raids five states including Tripura, Meghalaya over Al-Qaeda-linked illegal immigrant probe

Guwahati: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) carried out coordinated raids in Tripura, Meghalaya, and three other states as part of an ongoing probe into an alleged Al-Qaeda-linked terror plot involving illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.

The searches were conducted on November 12 at 10 locations in West Bengal, Tripura, Meghalaya, Haryana, and Gujarat.

According to officials, the raids targeted the houses and workplaces of suspects and their associates.

Several digital devices and documents were seized during the operation and have been sent for forensic examination.

The case, registered as RC-19/2023/NIA/DLI (Al-Qaida Gujarat case), was filed in June 2023 under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Indian Penal Code, and the Foreigners Act.

Investigations have identified four Bangladeshi nationals, Mohd. Sojibmiyan, Munna Khalid Ansari, Azarul Islam, and Abdul Latif, as key figures in the network.

The NIA stated that they had entered India illegally using forged Indian documents and maintained links with the banned Al-Qaeda organisation.

According to the agency, the men were involved in collecting and transferring funds to Al-Qaeda operatives in Bangladesh and were also trying to radicalise local youth.

Earlier, on November 10, the NIA filed a chargesheet against five accused before the NIA Special Court in Ahmedabad.

The agency said the investigation is still underway to trace the full extent of the network, its funding routes, and cross-border links.

The NIA has reaffirmed its focus on dismantling the group’s operations and preventing further infiltration through India’s northeastern region.