In a significant development, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a comprehensive Chargesheet against five accused individuals in the NIA Special Court, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, today. NIA investigations have unraveled a meticulously planned conspiracy orchestrated by Al-Qaida operatives based across the Indo-Bangladesh border, in collaboration with the arrested individuals, aimed at carrying out terrorist acts and activities in India.
Acting on credible inputs, the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, that four terrorists have illegally infiltrated into India through the Indo-Bangladesh border by using forged and fraudulent identity documents. The ATS investigations further revealed that these individuals are associated with the proscribed terrorist organization Al-Qaida, were engaging in activities, such as fundraising and recruitment of Muslim youth to join the terrorist ranks.
Considering the national security implications & international linkages, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, transferred the case to NIA, on 19.6.2023. The National Investigation Agency registered a case on 22.06.2023, under sections- 38, 39 & 40 of the Unlawful Activities (P) Act, 1967, sections 14(a) & 14(b) of Foreigners Act 1946, and 465, 466 & 471 of IPC arising out of PS ATS Ahmedabad FIR No.03/2023 dated- 21.05.2023.
Investigations revealed that the accused, namely (1) Mohd. Sojibmiyan, (ii) Munna Khalid Ansari @Munna Khan, (iii) Azarul Islam @Jahangir @Aakash Khan, and (iv) Abdul Latif @Mominul Ansari, were all foreign nationals who had infiltrated into India illegally. They procured forged documents to operate covertly within the country and advance their terrorist agenda. Their actions were not limited to illegal entry; they were actively engaged in motivating, radicalizing and indoctrinating vulnerable Muslim youth in India in the extremist ideology of Al-Qaida and collection of funds and transferring them to the handlers and agents of proscribed terrorist organisation Al Qaida based on both sides of the border.
Investigations uncovered that two absconding accused Shariful Islam and Sahiba are members of the proscribed terrorist organisation Al-Qaida and are believed to be key handlers of the arrested individuals from across the border.
Acting on the explicit directives of these handlers, the accused infiltrated India through illegal means, subsequently procuring forged documents to settle in india and operate discreetly in the furtherance of terrorist activities on Indian soil. They provided comprehensive training, including the use of covert communication applications, to evade detection and ensure the secrecy and anonymity of their activities. Furthermore, these handlers were instrumental in the radicalization and motivation of vulnerable Muslim youth in India.
Efforts are being made to identify the handlers through diplomatic efforts, for which a formal request has already been initiated by the NIA.
The in-depth investigations by the NIA have established that foreign citizens illegally infiltrate into India, obtain fake ID Cards and documents, get jobs and covertly carry out activities on behalf of Foreign Terror Organizations such as Al-Qaida in the form of Sleeper cells.
During the investigations, many foreign agents were identified who had quietly settled in different parts of India with fake identity documents and they provided safe passage to other illegal infiltrators, harbouring them and providing them with Indian Identity documents.
The accused named in the Charge sheet include Mohd. Sojib Miyan, Munna Khan, Jahangir @ Ajharul Islam, Abdul Latif, and Farid. The charges against each accused are as follows:
Sojib Miyan and Munna Khan:
Sections 120B, 419, 465 & 471 of IPC
Sections 13, 18, 38 & 39 of the Unlawful Activities (P) Act, 1967
Sections 14, 14A of Foreigners Act 1946
Section 3 of Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920 r/w Rule 6 of the Passport (Entry into India) Rules, 1950
Jahangir@ Ajharul Islam:
Sections 120B, 419, 465 & 471 of IPC
Sections 13, 17, 18, 38, 39 & 40 of Unlawful Activities (P) Act, 1967
Sections 14, 14A of Foreigners Act 1946
Section 3 of Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920 r/w Rule 6 of the Passport (Entry into India) Rules, 1950
Abdul Latif:
Sections 120B of IPC
Sections 13, 18, 38 & 39 of the Unlawful Activities (P) Act, 1967
Sections 14, 14A of Foreigners Act 1946
Section 3 of Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920 r/w Rule 6 of the Passport (Entry into India) Rules, 1950
Farid:
Sections 120B, 465, 466 & 471 of IPC
Investigations in this case remain open.