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Synopsis

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday i.e. November 28, 2022, sentenced six terrorists for providing logistical support to terrorists to carry out terror attacks in India, in a conspiracy case involving the Jaish-e-Muhammad terror organization.

The case involves a criminal conspiracy by top Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) leaders based in Pakistan, namely Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar, brother of Maulana Masood Azhar, to recruit people to carry out terrorist acts in various parts of India.

“A large number of Pakistan-trained terrorists, weapons and explosives trainers of JeM had illegally infiltrated into Indian territory after crossing the border, with the assistance of associates based in various Indian states”, the NIA press release stated.

The six men have been convicted under various provisions of IPC and UAPA:

1. Sajad Ahmad Khan @ Sajjad Ahmed Khan @ Sajjad Ahmad Khan@ Sajjad convicted for life imprisonment, Rigorous Imprisonment (RI) and fine u/s 121 A, 120B IPC, 18, 18B, 38, 39 UA (P) Act and 120B IPC r/w sections 4, 5 of Explosives Substances Act.
2. Tanveer Ahmed Ganie @ Tanveer Ahmad @ Tanveer convicted u/s 120B IPC, 18, 38 UA (P) Act and punished with RI for 5 years and fine.
3. Bilal Ahmad Mir @ Bilal Mir @ Billa convicted u/s 121 A, 120 B IPC, 18, 38, 39 UA (P) Act and 120B IPC r/w sections 4, 5 of Explosives Substances Act and punished with life imprisonment, RI, and fine.
4. Muzaffar Ahmad Bhat @ Muzaffar Bhat convicted u/s 121 A, 122, 120 B IPC, 18, 23, 38, 39 UA (P) Act and section 4 of Explosives Substances Act and punished with life imprisonment, RI and fine.
5. Ishfaq Ahmad Bhat @ Ishfaq Bhatt @ Ishfaq convicted u/s 121 A, 120 B IPC, 18, 19, 38, 39 UA (P) Act and punished with life imprisonment, RI and fine.
6. Mehraj-Ud-din Chopan @ Mehraj convicted u/s 121 A, 120 B IPC, 18, 38, 39 UA (P) Act and sections 4, 5 of Explosives Substances Act and punished with life imprisonment, RI and fine.

The Federal Agencies press release also stated that all the accused, especially Bilal Mir and Muzaffar Bhat, had carried out reconnaissance of targets, arranged hideouts, and provided logistical support to terrorists to carry out terror attacks in India.

The press release stated that Sajad Ahmad Khan had been sent to Delhi to carry out reconnaissance of important targets and to establish a hideout in Delhi. The main aim was to identify, radicalize and recruit youth, impart them training in handling weapons and explosives and field-craft and raise funds, procure weapons, etc. to execute their nefarious designs, as per the press release. 

“Tanveer had facilitated transporting of terrorists and was also involved in supplying sealed parcels/ food/medicines and other logistical support. Explosives were recovered at the behest of Mehrajuddin while detonators were recovered from Muzzaffar. Ishfaq Ahmad was highly radicalized and had facilitated radicalization of other youth and was instrumental in providing shelter to the terrorists”, the press release read.