The National Investigation Agency (NIA) probing an alleged terror plot by Islamic State operatives in Hyderabad arrested on Tuesday two people suspected of having links with the West Asian terrorist group.
The accused – Mohammad Ataullah Rehman (30) and Naimathulla Hussaini (42) – were picked up from their residences at Bandlaguda and Moghulpura in the Old City of Hyderabad following a tip-off by five of their colleagues who were arrested on June 29 on the charges of plotting a terror attack in Hyderabad.
The two were produced in the NIA special court in Nampally in the afternoon and remanded to judicial custody till July 26. The NIA filed a petition in the court, seeking the custody of the arrested. With the fresh arrests, the total number of alleged IS operatives held by the NIA has gone up to seven.
According to NIA sources, Rehman played a key role in the terror plot. He was allegedly involved in radicalising the group members and participated in several meetings where the conspiracy was hatched. Hussaini, who is also known by aliases Yasir and Abu Darda, was allegedly mobilising funds for the group.
Investigations revealed that the arrested, who had pledged allegiance to the IS, had planned to carry out two major blasts in Hyderabad. It was found that they had sourced the material well in advance and were ready to carry out the attacks.
{{/usCountry}}Investigations revealed that the arrested, who had pledged allegiance to the IS, had planned to carry out two major blasts in Hyderabad. It was found that they had sourced the material well in advance and were ready to carry out the attacks.
{{/usCountry}}Sources said some more youngsters were on the radar and the possibility of more arrests could not be ruled out. Meanwhile, the NIA custody of the five alleged IS operatives ended on Tuesday. They were produced in the court and remanded to judicial custody for two more weeks.