NIA Charges Eight LeT Cadres in Prison Radicalization and ‘Fidayeen’ Conspiracy
News Delhi, 12-01-2024: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed charges against eight individuals associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), including a life convict and two fugitives, in connection with the terrorist group’s conspiracy involving prison radicalization and planning ‘fidayeen’ (suicide) attacks. T Naseer, a resident of Kerala’s Kannur serving a life sentence since 2013, is among those charged, while Junaid Ahmed (alias JD) and Salman Khan are suspected to have fled abroad. The remaining accused include Syed Suhail Khan, Mohammed Umar, Zahid Tabrez, Syed Mudassir Pasha, and Mohammed Faisal Rabbani.
The charges encompass various sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Explosives Substances Act, and the Arms Act. The case originated from a Bengaluru City Police investigation in July of the previous year, during which arms, ammunition, hand grenades, and walkie-talkies were seized from seven of the accused while gathered at one of their homes. The NIA took over the case in October 2023.
Investigations revealed that T Naseer, a figure involved in several blast cases, established contact with the other accused while they were all incarcerated in Bengaluru Prison in 2017. Naseer strategically arranged for them to be transferred to his barracks, intending to radicalize and recruit them into LeT. Junaid and Salman were the first recruits, and the conspiracy expanded to include the other accused.
Junaid, upon release, reportedly fled abroad after committing further offenses. Investigations indicated that Junaid sent funds from abroad to promote LeT activities both within and outside the prison. Additionally, he conspired with Salman to deliver arms and ammunition, intending to carry out a ‘fidayeen’ attack and aid Naseer’s escape from police custody. Junaid instructed his associates to steal used police caps and conduct arson on government buses as a practice run. The plot was thwarted with the seizure of arms in July of the previous year.
