Ernakulam: Shocking details are emerging from the arrested IS operative, Ashif, a native of Trissur. From his statement to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), he revealed that RSS leaders and officers of the NIA are targets on the hit list. Ashif is also second accused in the murder of Hindu Aikya Vedi leader Pavaratty Byju. It is also found that Ashif has communicated with Islamic State leaders in Syria.
The NIA said that Ashif is also the arms trainer of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) and hatched a conspiracy based in Ernakulam.
The aim of the Islamic State terrorists in Kerala is to eliminate the main leaders of RSS and the investigating officers of the NIA. The NIA got this information after questioning the arrested IS operatives in custody. During the questioning, the investigation officers got the names of some Sangh Kariyakartas and NIA officers, which are on the hit list of the terrorists.
The banned PFI also used to prepare hit list and conduct attacks just like how Islamic State operated. After the murder of Hindu Aikya Vedi activist Pavaratty Byju in Trissur in 2008, the terrorists had conducted an aggressive protest march.
The NIA said that the terrorists had taken a promise to conduct terror attacks at planned areas and centers within a stipulated time. It was for this that the terror module conducted tests by placing explosive materials at different locations in the state.
The terror operatives in Kerala have communicated with IS leaders in Syria. The conspiracy for the terror attacks were made based in Ernakulam.
The NIA had earlier arrested Ashif from his hideout in Sathyamangalam forest area in Tamil Nadu. The agency had found that he planned to commit terror attacks in many places including Kerala.
The NIA said that Ashif is the master trainer in Kerala of youths who get attracted to Islamic State. He had received his arms training in Syria. The agency said that arms training and special camps were conducted under his leadership in the forested areas of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka earlier.
The NIA said that currently they are searching for a terrorist named Sirajudeen who is an accomplice of those arrested from Tamil Nadu. It is believed that he has escaped to Syria.
In his statement to the NIA, Ashif said that he got attracted to the ideas of Islamic State while he was working in the Gulf. It was at that time he began to work closely with likeminded people.
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