The NIA is conducting searches in 10 states, including Telangana

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday conducted a coordinated search at 20 locations, including Telangana and the Union Territory of Delhi, as part of its probe into the case of an online terrorist radicalization network linked to the banned terrorist organizations ISIS and Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS).

According to the NIA, the case pertains to a conspiracy to create an Islamic state in India through jihad by promoting the ideology of ISIS and AQIS and targeting the country’s democratically elected government.

As part of the ongoing investigation, searches were conducted in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Delhi. During the raids, the agency seized several digital devices that will be sent for forensic examination as part of the ongoing investigation.

The agency said 11 accused and one juvenile have been arrested so far in the case, which it took over from the Vijayawada police in May this year.

The case was initially registered by the Vijayawada police in March after a search at the residence of prime accused Rehmatullah Sharif Mohammad led to the recovery of incriminating material linked to banned organizations ISIS and AQIS.

According to the NIA, Wednesday’s searches were based on technical analysis of previously seized digital devices, connectivity analysis of the arrested accused and other evidence collected during the investigation.

Investigations are on to identify other persons involved in the conspiracy, the NIA said.

Published – 8 Jul 2026 21:14 IST