NIA raids multiple locations in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana in case linked to PFI

India’s top counter-terrorist taskforce National Investigation Agency on Sunday carried out searches in multiple locations in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in a major crackdown on Popular Front of India.

The NIA sleuths raided 40 locations, including 38 locations across six districts in Telangana and two locations in two districts of Andhra Pradesh in connection with a case linked to the PFI, an extremist Islamic organisation, according to people familiar with the matter.

The agency was carrying out searches at the residence of Shahid Chaush alias Shahid, the main accused in the case. Shahid has been served a notice under 41(A) Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPc). HT has learnt that the investigation is based on establishing and finding the sources of terrorism.

The case was registered in July this year against PFI members by Nizamabad Police Station in Telangana under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and section 13(1)(b) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Abdul Khader and 26 persons and others have been named in the FIR relating to some anti-national activities in a house located near Osmania Masjid in Nizamabad.