The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has chargesheeted seven individuals for allegedly establishing a terror module in Ballari. Arrested in December, the seven have been charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, the Arms Act, 1959, and the Explosive Substances Act, 1908, along with various sections of the Indian Penal Code.
The charge sheet accuses the seven of recruiting and radicalizing youth as to serve as terrorist sleeper cells. The NIA claims this was part of a larger IS plan to create 50 such cells in each Indian district by 2025, intended to carry out guerrilla attacks on Indian soldiers, police, and religious leaders.
The accused were reportedly involved in making explosives to further the IS goal of establishing a Caliphate in India. They allegedly conducted a trial blast in Ballari and disseminated jihad-related materials to recruit others. The NIA’s investigation uncovered explosive materials, weapons, digital propaganda, and documents outlining IS plans for establishing Islamic rule in India.
The chargesheet states that six of the accused pledged allegiance to co-accused Mohammed Sulaiman alias Minaj, who declared himself the group’s Amir. The others charged are Mohammed Muniruddin, Syed Sameer, Mohammed Muzammil (all from Karnataka), Anas Iqbal Shaikh (Maharashtra), Mohammed Shahbaz alias Zulfikar (Jharkhand), and Shayan Rehman alias Hussain (Delhi). The NIA’s investigation is ongoing to uncover the full conspiracy and identify additional suspects.
