NIA DG Yogesh Chandra Modi stated that the JMB is using the Bangladeshi illegal immigrants for their nefarious activities has spread its activities in states like Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra in the south along with Jharkhand and Bihar in the north.
In a startling revelation, DG of National Investigation Agency YC Modi has revealed that Karnataka is fast becoming the hub of the sleeper cells of Jammat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) in the country and the state is also their base to attack targets elsewhere in India. He was addressing a 2-day meeting of chiefs of the Anti-Terrorism Squads (ATS) and Special Task Force (STF) of all the states in New Delhi on 14th Oct. The meet deliberated over terror funding, militancy in J&K, Punjab and North East and jihadi groups and radicalization in various parts of the country. NSA Ajit Doval had also addressed the meeting of the officers on the first day.
NIA Chief Modi also revealed that the JMB terrorists had set up bases on the outskirts of Bengaluru and in Krishnagiri in Tamil Nadu for practicing and planning. The NIA has shared a list of 125 suspected terrorists of the JMB with the states, he said. It can be recalled that several JMB terrorists have been nabbed in and around Bengaluru. For the last 6 years, the JMB had chosen Bengaluru, towns on its outskirts, Ramanagara and Chikkabalapura for its hideouts and to accommodate its terrorists. Terror activities were being planned from these hideouts itself.
Inspector General of the NIA Alok Mittal in his presentation said that between 2014 to 2018, the JMB set up 20-22 hideouts in Bangalore and tried to spread its bases in South India. The JMB terrorists also held meetings in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and other locations in Tamil Nadu as well as areas in Kerala. He also informed the gathering about the rocket launcher trials conducted by JMB in the Krishnagiri hills along the Karnataka border. He also said that the JMB was keen to attack Buddhists temples in order to take revenge for the purported plight of Rohingiya Muslims in Myanmar.
The NIA presentation reveals that the JMB network was well organised as they had elaborate arrangements to get illegal immigrants from Bangladesh to Bengaluru, settle them in one or the other job or business, accommodate them in a rented place, as also arrange AADHAR and other identities for them. They were also regularly fed with rabid Jihadi teachings and were brainwashed to commit acts of terror. These immigrants were then given training in making bombs after arranging the necessary items required for the same. A site in Krishnagiri was also chosen as a base to practice rocket launchers and bombs.
Modus Operandi of JMB
As soon as the NIA receive inputs about the terrorists and their activities, it is shared with the state counterparts and a high alert is declared. However, as soon as they come under the radar of the security agencies, the JMB terrorists change their mobile numbers and their hideout or rented accommodation. They cease their activities for some period. As the high alert is eased and the monitoring stops, they start their activities from their new locations with new mobile connections.
Muneer is the head of JMB monitoring its activities in India. Mustafa Ur Rahman and Nazir Sheikh, who was nabbed recently in West Bengal, are bomb making experts who train others and are also the top leaders of the terror outfit. Nazir used to visit Bengaluru and train Bangladeshi immigrants in making bombs and relocate to another place.
The NIA has warned Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Bihar to be extremely vigilant for terror activities of JMB as 25 of its most wanted terrorists are involved in recruiting and training the illegal immigrants in these states. The NIA will be setting up a national level grid to monitor the activities of JMB and similar terror outfits.
Recent raids on JMB hideouts and network
NIA officers had raided a mosque in Doddaballapura near Bengaluru on June 25th and had nabbed JMB terrorist Habibur Rehman. This was reported in Organiser. The mosque was a hideout for JMB and several religious literature and maps were confiscated. Based on his revelations on their operations and other terrorists, Zahirul Sheikh was nabbed from Thanapara in Nadia dist of West Bengal on August 11. Further, on Aug 26th, Nazir Sheikh was apprehended from Agartala and brought to Bengaluru two days later.
Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen terrorist Habibur Rehman (inset) was arrested by the NIA on 25th June, 2019 from a Doddaballapur mosque
On July 7th, the NIA raided a house in Chikkabanavara and confiscated 5 hand grenades, 1 time bomb, materials for rocket launchers, 9MM pistols, live bullets and bullet proof jackets. Later, 5 live bombs were found under a bridge near Ramanagar which were hidden by the JMB terrorists.
Earlier this year, another JMB terrorist was nabbed from the Central Prison in Bengaluru in connection with the 2014 Church Street bombings. The main accused in the 2010 Chinnaswamy Stadium serial bombing and the masterminds of Indian Mujahideen, the Bhatkal brothers, had chosen Tumkur as their hideout for a certain period.
