The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday carried out searches at 19 locations in South India by busting a highly ‘radicalised’ jihadi terror group, ANI has reported citing its sources. The raids have been underway since this morning.

Of the 19 places being searched by the NIA, the majority of them are linked to suspects affiliated with the jihadi group. The anti-terror agency is conducting these raids in close coordination with the state police forces.

As per the report, the terror group is engaged in anti-India activities and has learned to plan attacks, recruiting youths.

The move comes days after the NIA raided multiple locations across Karnataka’s Bengaluru in a case relating to the ‘radicalization’ of prisoners by an Islamic terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist.

A total of six locations, including the houses of four accused, one of whom is still absconding, were extensively searched on December 13.

In that raid, the NIA teams seized a host of digital devices, various incriminating documents, and cash amounting 7.3 lakhsduringthe raids, conducted at the premises of Mohammed Umar, Mohammed Faisal Rabbani, Tanveer Ahmed andMohammed Farooq, as well as absconder Junaid Ahmed. Three accused are currently absconding in the case, registered under various sections of IPC, UA(P) Act, 1967 and Explosive Substances Act, 1884.

Investigations had revealed that Mohammed Umar, Mohammed Faisal Rabbani, Tanveer Ahmed, Mohammed Farooq and Junaid Ahmed had come in contact with LeT member and life convict, T. Naseer, during their imprisonment at Central Prison, Parappana Agrahara, Bengaluru. It was further found that T. Nazeer had ‘radicalized’ and recruited these individuals for committing violent terror acts. After their release from the Central Prison, these five accused, all of them habitual offenders, had conspired to commit terror acts under the leadership of Junaid Ahmed and on directions from T. Naseer.