NIA nabs eleventh accused in ISIS Pune sleeper module case

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday said it arrested another alleged key conspirator wanted in the ISIS Pune sleeper module case. The accused, identified as Rizwan Ali alias Abu Salma alias Mola, is the 11th accused to be arrested in the case and had carried a reward of Rs 3 lakh for information leading to his capture. He was produced before the Special NIA court and was sent to NIA custody till July 18.

The NIA Special Court had also issued a standing non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Rizwan, who the agency said was actively involved in promoting the terror activities of the designated foreign terror outfit, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

As part of the anti-India conspiracy of the ISIS, which is also known by various other names, Rizwan had played an active role in the reconnaissance and recce of various locations for use as terrorist hideouts, NIA said. He was also involved in conducting firing classes and training in the fabrication of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), as per NIA investigations in the case.

Along with the 10 other accused already arrested and in judicial custody, Rizwan had conspired to commit a series of terror acts to destabilise the country and spread communal disharmony.