NIA files charge sheet against 3 LeT operatives in Hyderabad terror conspiracy case

Hyderabad (IANS)| The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday filed a charge sheet against three members of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in the Hyderabad terror conspiracy case. The NIA has filed a charge sheet against Mohd Abdul Wajid alias Zahid, Samiuddin alias Sami and Maaz Hasan Farooq alias Maaz in a Hyderabad court. He has been accused of his role in the terror conspiracy to raise funds, stockpile explosives and recruit for LeT.

The NIA has registered a case against the accused under relevant sections. According to media reports, the NIA took over the investigation of the case from the Hyderabad Police in January 2023.

According to the agency, investigations have revealed that Zahid, Sami and Maaj were in touch with Farhatullah Ghori, an “individual terrorist” listed by the Centre. Also, he was associated with Siddique Bin Usman alias Abu Hanzala, Abdul Majeed alias Chhotu and other LeT leaders and operatives. Their aim was to carry out bomb blasts at crowded places in Hyderabad.

NIA said that Ghori, Abu Hanzala, Abdul Majeed are in Pakistan. Ghori recruited Zahid from cyberspace and sent money to him through hawala channels. Zahid was assigned the task of recruiting more people into Lashkar (LeT) and carrying out terrorist activities. Sami, Maaz and Mohammad Kaleem were instigated by Zahid to work for Lashkar.

According to the central agency, on September 28, 2022, four hand grenades were dropped at a deserted place near Manoharabad village on the Hyderabad-Nagpur Highway. Zahid collected the consignment of grenades through Sami and then gave one grenade each to Sami and Maaj with instructions to throw it at public gatherings during Dussehra festival. However, he was arrested before the planned attacks could take place.

During searches of their houses, hand grenades were recovered from their possession. Rs 20 lakh was also seized from Zahid.

–IANS