NIA arrests nine Al-Qaeda terrorists from Kerala, Bengal in multiple raids

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) said on Saturday it has arrested nine al Qaeda militants who were planning attacks in several locations including the capital New Delhi.

"The group was planning to undertake terrorist attacks at vital installations in India with an aim to kill innocent people and strike terror in their minds," the country's main counter-terrorism arm said in a statement.

Simultaneous raids were conducted on early Saturday morning at several locations in Murshidabad of West Bengal and Ernakulam of Kerala.

Six of the militants were arrested in West Bengal and while three in Kerala, the NIA said, adding the individuals were "associated with Pakistan sponsored module of al Qaeda".

All terrorists arrested are linked to a terror plot. The group was planning to undertake terrorist attacks at vital installations in India with an aim to kill innocent people and strike terror in their minds, NIA said in a statement.

Large quantity of incriminating materials including digital devices, documents, jihadi literature, sharp weapons, country-made firearms, a locally fabricated body armour, articles and literature used for making home-made explosive devices have been seized from their possession. 

As per preliminary investigation, these individuals were radicalised by Pakistan-based Al-Qaeda terrorists on social media and were motivated to undertake attacks at multiple places including the National Capital Region, NIA added.

India has stepped up an offensive against militants in the Muslim-majority region of Kashmir and elsewhere.

Last year, Indian forces killed the leader of an al Qaeda-affiliated militant group in Kashmir, triggering protests in parts of the disputed region.

​The arrested terrorists will be produced before the concerned Courts in Kerala and West Bengal for police custody and further investigation.