Uttar Pradesh: A protest erupted in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted searches at the residence of Mufti Khalid, the nephew of a Muslim cleric. The raid was conducted in connection with the radicalisation of individuals associated with Jaish-e-Mohammed, and the dissemination of terrorist propaganda.
NIA was conducting searches at 19 locations across five states including Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat. The operation focuses on the dissemination of terrorist propaganda and efforts to counter extremist activities.
Mufti was also taken into custody following the raids, leading to a massive protest by his supporters that included several women supporters too. They surrounded the police and Mufti as the officials walked out of his house.
The crowd also freed Mufti, however, he was again taken into custody later.
The operation focuses on the dissemination of terrorist propaganda and efforts to counter extremist activities.
The fresh raids came after NIA found lead after questioning the arrested person and examination of evidence against the suspects whose premises were searched in October this year.
At that time the agency had mentioned that the suspects were engaged in radicalising individuals associated with JeM, and were engaged in disseminating terrorist-related propaganda and radicalising and recruiting youth into the Jamaat outfit inspired by JeM.
The NIA had also seized several incriminating documents, electronic devices, pamphlets and magazines.
"These suspects were involved in motivating youth into committing violent terror attacks across India," the NIA has said.