Phulwari Sharif PFI Case: NIA arrests 2 after raids at 8 locations in Bihar

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday arrested two persons from Bihar's Motihari district in connection with a suspected terror cell allegedly linked to the Popular Front of India (PFI). The arrests came after the NIA yesterday (February 4) raided eight locations to bust a plot by a fabricated PFI cadre to carry out targeted killings in East Champaran district. The arrested persons have been identified as Tanveer Raza alias Barkati and Md Abid alias Aryan, both residents of East Champaran district. Sources said they have arranged arms and ammunition to carry out targeted killings, adding that a reconnaissance site has already been conducted to execute the plan.

The weapons were to be handed over to a PFI weapons trainer, Yakoob alias Sultan alias Usman, who conducted weapons training for PFI cadres to target their "perceived enemies". A few days ago, Yakoob posted a derogatory and inflammatory video on Facebook aimed at disrupting the peace and harmony of the community. The post was heavily criticized by several users on the social networking platform. After the trolls, Yakoob and 2 arrest some of them and organize a plot to kill them.

The NIA raids and arrests were made in case of involvement of PFI and its leaders and cadres in violent and illegal activities who had gathered in Phulwari Sharif area of ​​Patna for this purpose. Thanks to these arrests, the PFI's "killing pod" was discovered and busted, preventing targeted killings, sources said. Earlier, 4 persons were arrested and several incriminating items and documents related to PFI were seized in the case. Several digital devices were seized during searches conducted on February 4. Further investigations into the case are underway, sources said.

The Bihar police busted an alleged terror cell by arresting three people in July last year. Mohammad Jalaluddin, a former Jharkhand police officer, and Athar Parvez were arrested on July 13 from the Phulwari Sharif area of ​​Patna, while Nuruddin Jangi was arrested three days later from Lucknow by the Uttar Pradesh ATS on the request of the Bihar police. “They have connections with PFI. Jallauddin was earlier associated with the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI)… They taught locals how to use swords and knives and also incited them to communal violence,” Phulwari Sharif Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Manish Kumar told the conference. at the time of their arrest.