KOCHI: A Kerala-based ISIS-affiliated group from Kochi had sinister intentions of looting churches and temples in the regions of Thrissur and Palakkad in order to secure funds, as unveiled by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). This revelation surfaced subsequent to the apprehension of Sayeed Nabeel Ahmmed, a 34-year-old resident of Padoor, Thrissur. Nabeel was arrested in TMP Nagar, Padi, Chennai just last week, and he currently finds himself in NIA custody until the upcoming Saturday, where he is being intensively interrogated.
Earlier on, the NIA had also detained two other individuals from Thrissur, namely Ashif and Shiyas T S. According to insider sources within the NIA, it was Nabeel who orchestrated the formation of this clandestine group during his tenure in Qatar. Subsequently, he returned to India with the intent of advancing ISIS activities within the country. As part of this malevolent plan, a group by the name of "Pet Lovers" was established on the Telegram messaging platform.
The NIA has successfully retrieved incriminating conversations from various encrypted messaging applications, revealing the group's sinister designs. According to NIA officials, their primary aim was to carry out thefts in temples and churches located in Thrissur and Palakkad as a means of fundraising.
Furthermore, disturbing discussions within the Telegram group involved plotting the elimination of a Christian priest. The accused individuals were actively seeking to recruit additional members for furthering ISIS activities. The NIA suspects that Nabeel maintained communication with ISIS leaders in Syria and Afghanistan, and an investigation is currently underway to delve deeper into this matter.
In their plea submitted to the NIA Court, the national agency underscored the urgency of interrogating Nabeel, stating, "It is highly likely that the accused's nefarious plans and conspiracies will remain concealed from public scrutiny and will be executed as per their designs. To prevent any potential mishap, it is imperative that the accused be placed in police custody."
