Libya-based ISIS terrorist among two charge sheeted by NIA in Aurangabad terror conspiracy case
Jul 12, 2024
New Delhi [India], July 12 The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday charge-sheeted two persons, including a Libya-based terrorist in the ISIS terror conspiracy case connected with the global terror network's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), Maharashtra, linked module.
The anti-terror agency filed the chargesheet against Libya-based Mohammed Shoeb Khan and Mohammed Zoheb Khan in the conspiracy to promote the ISIS' anti-India agenda, said the National Investigation Agency.
Zoheb was earlier arrested by the probe agency in February of this year following searches across multiple locations.
Both Shoeb and Zoheb had conspired to "recruit vulnerable youth to carry out terror attacks at sensitive installations across India". The NIA named the two terrorists as "key conspirators in the case" and charged them under various sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The chargesheet was filed before the NIA Special Court in Mumbai.
The NIA, in the chargesheet, has exposed international linkages in the conspiracy with involvement of foreign-based handlers of ISIS.
"Investigations in the case earlier by the anti-terror agency had revealed a web of anti-India activities involving the two accused," said the agency.
The NIA, which has been working relentless to dismantle the ISIS network of modules in India, had found that the two men had taken 'bayath' (pledge of allegiance) towards the self-proclaimed Khalifa of ISIS.
"The accused, who had planned to flee to Afghanistan or Turkey after executing a series of terror attacks in India as part of the conspiracy, were also found to be actively involved in developing a website for the promotion of extremist and violent ideology of ISIS. They planned to attract youth from across the world into the ISIS fold through the website," said the NIA.
Investigations had further revealed that Zoheb, who was recruited by Shoeb, had created a WhatsApp group. "Zoheb had added more than 50 youth from Aurangabad area to the group with an intent to radicalise and recruit them for furthering the nefarious activities of ISIS in India."
"The accused had been sharing videos related to the manufacturing of explosives and the fabrication of IEDs. They had also prepared a detailed plan of action, which included planning, preparation and execution of terror attacks at multiple places in India and actions to be taken after the execution of attacks. The accused persons had conspired to endanger the safety and security of India, its secular ethos and culture, and the democratic systems of governance," reveals the NIA investigation.
