NIA busts ISIS module in city; 13 held for questioning

            During interrogation, it was revealed that ISIS sympathizers were planning to trigger multiple blasts in Hyderabad. An NIA official said the members of the module were under watch for over four months as they were in touch with each other through social networking websites. After it became evident that the module had gathered material to prepare explosives and secure arms, it was decided to act.

            Those who were taken into custody included Mohammed Ibrahim Yajdhani, a software engineer, Mohd Ilias Yazdani, Abdullah bin Mohammed Almodi, Hasib Mohd, Fahad, Mohd Irfan, Muzaffar Hussain and Yasir. The NIA



officers found ammonium nitrate and hydrogen peroxide stored in the homes of these four youths. All the 13 persons who were picked up were living with their parents or families. The suspects were using air guns for firing practice. They conducted recce of some malls and religious places which they wanted to target. The arrests were made from houses in Chandrayangutta, Mirchowk, Talabkatta, Bhavaninagar and Mogalpura.

            "The search operations are still going on," an NIA official said. Immediately, a high alert was sounded at Shamshabad airport and several other sensitive places in Hyderabad. The ISIS reported to have planned serial blasts in Hyderabad and massive destruction during the Id. The terrorists entered the city with the support of sympathisers about three months back and have been taking shelter at their supporters' homes in old city. Meanwhile, the local police are checking vehicle riders and passengers at various locations across the city.

            During the search operation, the NIA officials were threatened by the family members of Mohd Ibrahim Yazdani to disperse in five minutes. The suspects reportedly admitted that they practiced shooting and hurling of bombs in the Chandrayangutta area and had planned to execute their plan in the thickly populated areas in the twin cities during Id.