NIA arrests member of ‘Shahadat is our Goal’ terrorist gang in TN

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday arrested an alleged terrorist of ‘Shahadat is our Goal’ gang and was sent on judicial custody after he was produced before the Special NIA Court at Chennai.

Mohammed Rashid,25, a resident of Cuddalore district in Tamil Nadu was arrested a case which was originally registered under sections 153A and 120B of Indian Penal Code ;sections 15(c), 17, 18, 19 and 20 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 and sections 25(1)(a) of Arms Act, 1959 dated April 2, 2018 at Keelakarai Police Station in Ramnathapuram district of Tamil Nadu after the arrest of accused Mohamed Rifas, Muparish Ahamed and Abupakkar Sithik from Keelakarai.

“Lethal weapons including swords along with pamphlets pertaining to the terrorist gang ‘Shahadat is our Goal’ were seized from their possession whereas Sheik Dawood aka Seik Thavuthu, Ahamed Imithyash, Hameed Asfar, Liyakath Ali , Sajith Ahamed and Rizwan Mohammad were also arrested during ensuing investigation.

NIA took over this case on January 10, 2019 and during it probe, the searches were conducted at the premises of the accused persons in May, 2019 and Mohammed Rashid was identified as an active member of the terrorist gang.

Scrutiny of forensically retrieved data from the seized digital devices and their e-mail and social media accounts, has revealed that the accused persons including Mohammed Rashid, had conducted multiple conspiracy meetings under leadership of Sheik Dawood and Mohamed Rifas with the intention of waging violent jihad in Tamil Nadu, as part of their efforts to establish Islamic rule (Shariah), the probe agency officials said.

The accused, in pursuance of the conspiracy, had also attempted to procure illegal fire arms, they added.

Further investigation in the case has been under progress, the NIA said.