NIA Sentences Two Bangladeshi Terrorists in Mizoram
Plotting Attacks in India
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has successfully convicted and sentenced two members of the banned Bangladeshi terror group, Ansar-al-Islam, for planning terrorist attacks in India. The convicted individuals are Mahmud Hassan, also known as Shariful Hassan, and Mohamad Sayad Hussain, also known as Mohamad Sa’ad Hussain, Sohan Molla, and Shihab Hossain.
The NIA Special Court in Aizawl, Mizoram, sentenced both men to five years in prison and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 each. If they fail to pay the fine, they will serve an additional month in jail. They were found guilty under various laws, including the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Foreigners Act, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UA(P) Act).
The two men had illegally entered India and were living in different locations using fake Indian identity documents, such as Aadhar cards. The NIA took over the case in September 2019 and filed charges against them on January 23, 2020.
Investigations revealed that they were part of a conspiracy by Ansar-al-Islam, which is the Bangladesh wing of Al-Qaeda, to carry out terrorist acts in India. The NIA found digital documents, audio recordings promoting Jihad, and handwritten bomb-making instructions. They also seized 11 mobile phones and 16 SIM cards from the men.
Mahmud Hassan was recruited into the conspiracy by Abdul Wadud and operated under the guidance of his handler, Munir. Photos of important public and religious places in Bengaluru were found on his phone, indicating he had conducted reconnaissance.
Mohamad Sayad Hussain frequently changed locations and disguised his profession to avoid detection, following instructions from his handler, Bashir Ahmed.
