NIA raids at three places in Bihar in Al Qaeda terror module case

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday conducted raids at three places in Patna in connection with the Ghazwa-e-Hind terror module. The accused Margub Ahmed Danish alias 'Tahir', a resident of Phulwari Sharif in Patna district, was arrested sometime back on charges of anti-national activities and radicalization of youth on social media, a spokesperson of the agency said. Ghazwa-e-Hind is a branch of the banned global terrorist organization Al Qaeda.

Sources said that many foreign nationals including nationals of Pakistan and Bangladesh are also members of this group. The case was initially registered at Phulwari Sharif police station on July 14 and was re-registered by the NIA on July 22, the official said. The spokesman said incriminating material including digital devices and documents were seized during searches at the premises of the accused and other suspects.

The NIA said investigations revealed that Danish was a radicalized man and was in contact with several foreign entities through a WhatsApp group called 'Ghazwa-e-Hind' created by him. “In this group, terrorist acts and activities in Kashmir were being glorified with a view to radicalize the youth. He had also created another WhatsApp group by the name of Ghazwa-e-Hind Bidi and was talking about victory of India through violence.

The investigation also revealed that Danish was associated with the Pakistan-based radical group Tehreek-e-Labbaik. He was also in regular contact with Faizan, a Pakistani national. Investigators have found that messages insulting the national flag and emblem were being created and shared on the group Gazwa-e-Hind.