NIA raids 19 locations in Jaish-e-Mohammed conspiracy probe targeting youth radicalisation

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The National Investigation Agency (NIA) carried out extensive searches on Thursday at 19 locations across eight states as part of its ongoing probe into an alleged conspiracy by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) to radicalise youths and spread terror activities in India.

Several incriminating documents, electronic devices including mobile phones, pen drives, CDs, hard disks etc. were seized during the searches carried out at multiple locations in the states of Assam, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan and Gujarat. These materials are being scrutinised to establish the extent of the conspiracy and the individuals involved in facilitating the activities of JeM within India.

The counter-terrorism agency, which is investigating the case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, targeted the locations in an operation launched in the early hours of the day.

In Jammu and Kashmir, the searches were conducted at the premises of close aides of an accused, Sheikh Sultan Salah Uddin Ayubi alias Ayubi, an alleged JeM operative. Ayubi was taken into custody in October for allegedly disseminating propaganda material associated with JeM, and radicalising and recruiting youth into the Jamaat outfit inspired by JeM. As per PTI, the raids are part of a broader effort to dismantle the financial and operational support system of the banned terrorist organisation.

The locations at which the searches were conducted today were Goalpara (Assam); Aurangabad, Mumbai, Amravati (Maharashtra); Jhansi, Bareilly, Deoband and Saharanpur (Uttar Pradesh); Sitamarhi (Bihar); Hooghly (West Bengal), Baramulla, Reasi, Budgam, and Anantnag (Jammu and Kashmir); Dungarpur (Rajasthan), and Mehsana (Gujarat).

Meanwhile, the agency on Thursday detained a youth from Maharashtra's Amravati district on suspicion of having links with the Pakistan-based terror group JeM, the police said.

A raid was conducted last night at Chhaya Nagar in the district after NIA received information that the youth was in contact with the banned JeM for the past six months, they said.

The youth was apprehended and was being questioned by the central agency, the police said without giving more details.

(With inputs from PTI)