The house in Jaffarabad where NIA conducted a raid. (Express: Tashi Tobgyal) The house in Jaffarabad where NIA conducted a raid. (Express: Tashi Tobgyal)

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) Wednesday arrested 10 people after they conducted searches at 17 locations across Meerut, Lucknow, Hapur, Amroha and Seelampur in connection with its probe into a new Islamic State-inspired module, ‘Harkat ul Harb e Islam’. The group was under NIA surveillance for some time, officials said.

NIA IG Alok Mittal said a rocket launcher, several weapons and a cache of ammunition were recovered from the spots. He further said the group planned to target vital installations and politicians.

“Recovery includes a rocket launcher, several weapons, ammunition and explosives. They were at an advanced stage of carrying a series of blasts,” Mittal said. The NIA has identified Mufti Sohail, a Maulvi of Amroha mosque, as the chief of the IS-inspired module.

NIA IG Alok Mittal said a rocket launcher, several weapons and a cache of ammunition were recovered from the locations. NIA IG Alok Mittal said a rocket launcher, several weapons and a cache of ammunition were recovered from the locations.

The module was in touch with foreign handlers, whose identity is yet to be established. Mittal further said the level of preparation showed they were planning fidayeen-style attacks.

“The main gang leader is Mufti Sohail, a Maulvi of an Amroha mosque. The group has a handler in a foreign country. They planned to target vital installations and important people, including politicians. They wanted to explode remote-controlled bombs and even conduct fidayeen attacks. They even tried. making a bulletproof jacket,” the NIA IG said.

Ammunition was recovered from the locations. (Express photo) Ammunition was recovered from the locations. (Express photo)

Of the 10 people held by the anti-terror probe agency, five were picked up from the western Uttar Pradesh district of Amroha following a joint operation with the UP Anti-Terrorist Squad, Inspector General ATS Asim Arun said in Lucknow. Five more were detained from north-east Delhi with the help of Delhi Police’s Special Cell, officials said.

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