Terror Against Temples: NIA Chargesheets Two Hizbul Suspects For Plot To Blow Up Shrines Across India

A chargesheet was filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) before a special court in Lucknow on Monday (11 March) against two persons accused of involvement in a Hizbul Mujahideen terror conspiracy, reports Business Standard.

The two accused persons have been identified as Kamruj Zaman of Assam and an absconding accused, Osama Bin Javed, belonging to Jammu and Kashmir. They have been chargesheeted under provisions of the IPC relating to criminal conspiracy as well as sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

It is believed that they were part of a 2018 plot by Hizbul Mujahideen cadres to carry out terror attacks in different locations.

"The investigation has established that Zaman and Javed had joined HM and were imparted nine months’ weapons training (June 2017 - March 2018) by two cadres of terror group Mohammad Amin and Hajari in the jungles of district Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir," the NIA spokesperson stated.

After finishing his training, Zaman got instructions to create hideouts and select suitable targets in Uttar Pradesh and Assam. He later fled to Bangladesh fearing arrest but came back to India in August 2018, and travelled to Kanpur, carrying out reconnaissance of several temples to search for terror targets.