NIA nabs third accused in Vizianagaram terror plot case

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested another key accused in the Vizianagaram ISIS terrorist conspiracy case. Arif Hussain@ Abu Talib, a resident of Bihar, was nabbed by an NIA team at IGI Airport, Delhi, while attempting to flee the country. He will be produced before the NIA Special Court, Visakhapatnam. NIA investigations had revealed that the accused had been in contact with accused Siraj-ur-Rahman, already arrested in the case earlier along with Syed Sameer. Siraj and Sameer were found to be in possession of chemicals used for making IEDs, and were conspiring to carry out terrorist attacks. Arif was involved in illegal supply of weapons in various parts of the country for jihadi activities, the investigations further revealed. Investigations in the case are continuing.

Before the NIA took over the investigation, Siraj and Sameer were arrested in May by Andhra Pradesh Police. The police took them into custody from Visakhapatnam Central Jail and shifted to Vizianagaram for questioning. The duo was questioned about the plot and the activities of Al-Hind Ittehadul Muslimeen floated by them. The investigating officials tried to gather information about their contacts in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and other states. Siraj was arrested by Vizianagaram police following the recovery of explosives at his residence on May 17. The subsequent investigation led to the arrest of Sameer in Hyderabad.

They were booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, and under the Explosive Substances Act of 1908. The two suspects had allegedly procured explosives online and were planning a series of explosions near Vizianagaram.

(Crime Correspondent)