Pudvi Times Live Updates: NIA Raids in Gujarat, Bengal, and 3 Other States in Al-Qaida Terror Conspiracy Case

The raids were conducted as part of a probe into a module allegedly involved in recruiting and sheltering illegal Bangladeshi immigrants with suspected terror links. According to NIA officials, several locations were searched simultaneously at dawn, resulting in the seizure of digital devices, mobile phones, incriminating documents, and identity papers.

“The searches were aimed at unearthing the larger network of Al-Qaida operatives who were attempting to establish sleeper cells and safe houses in different Indian states,” an NIA spokesperson said.

Raids Across States

In Gujarat, raids took place in Surat and Ahmedabad, where investigators reportedly traced digital footprints of cross-border communication and suspicious financial transactions.
In West Bengal, NIA teams searched premises in Murshidabad and Malda districts, areas that have previously seen activities linked to terror modules with Bangladeshi connections.

Operations were also carried out in Assam’s Barpeta district, parts of Bihar, and Bengaluru, Karnataka, where NIA suspects the existence of a network providing logistical support to operatives entering India illegally.

Focus on Illegal Immigrant Network

Investigators believe that certain individuals under scrutiny were assisting illegal migrants from Bangladesh in obtaining forged Indian identity documents and using them for recruitment and radicalization purposes.

“The terror conspiracy case aims to expose how local facilitators, particularly in border states, were helping Al-Qaida-linked groups gain a foothold through unlawful immigration channels,” the NIA source added.

Recovered Evidence

During the searches, NIA teams seized digital hard drives, SIM cards, diaries, and financial records, which are now being examined for links to cross-border transactions and encrypted communications. Forensic experts will analyze the seized data to map out the larger network.

Background

The ongoing investigation stems from a 2023 case registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Initial arrests in Assam and Bengal had revealed connections to operatives aligned with Al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), prompting nationwide follow-up action.

The NIA has been intensifying efforts against transnational terror outfits that exploit porous borders, fake documentation, and cyber channels to operate within India.

What’s Next

Sources indicate that fresh arrests may follow based on forensic analysis of the seized evidence. The agency has not ruled out links to international funding or training camps in neighboring countries.

Security has been strengthened in key areas of Bengal and Assam following the raids.