The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a charge-sheet against seven ISIS members accused of being involved in a conspiracy to carry out terror attacks in different parts of the country, an official said on Sunday.
They were charge-sheeted before the NIA Special Court in Mumbai under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Explosive Substances Act, the Arms Act and the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in the Pune-based ISIS module case, the spokesperson of the federal agency said.
The official identified the charge-sheeted accused as “Mohammad Imran-Mohammad Yusuf Khan alias ‘Matka’ alias ‘Aamir Abdul Hameed Khan’ and Mohammad Yunus-Mohammad Yakub Saki alias ‘Adil’ alias ‘Adil Saleem Khan'” of Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh; “Kadeer Dastagir Pathan alias ‘Abdul Kadeer’ and Seemab Nasiruddin Kazi” of Kondwa in Maharashtra’s Pune; and “Zulfikar Ali Barodawala alias ‘Lalabhai’ alias ‘Saif’, Shamil Saquib Nachan and Aakif Ateeque Nachan” of Padgha in Maharashtra’s Thane.
The accused were involved in collecting and raising funds for the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) with the intention to further its activities related to terror and violence, the spokesperson said.
The official said it was found that the accused organised terrorist training camps, harboured known and wanted terrorists, and committed acts preparatory to the fabrication of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
“In addition, they were also found in possession of IEDs, firearms, and ammunition,” the spokesperson said, adding that they had hatched a conspiracy to further the terrorist activities of the ISIS, with the intention to strike terror amongst the people and threaten the security, integrity and sovereignty of India.
“Investigations uncovered a larger conspiracy with international connections and the involvement of foreign-based ISIS handlers in the ongoing case. The investigation has unveiled a complex network of individuals committed to propagating the extremist ideology of the ISIS within India,” the official said.