NIA raids absconding Hizbul Mujahideen militant’s residence in terror conspiracy case

The accused has been identified as Riaz Ahmad, a resident of Kishtwar district of Jammu & Kashmir

July 23, 2023

Terror conspiracy case: NIA announces a cash reward of Rs.3 lakhs for any leads on Riaz Ahmad

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has raided the residential premises of an absconding accused in the Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) terror conspiracy case. The searches conducted at the house led to the seizure of one mobile phone, which is being analyzed.

The accused has been identified as Riaz Ahmad, a resident of Kishtwar district of Jammu & Kashmir. The NIA has also announced a cash reward of Rs.3 Lakhs for any leads on Ahmad.

The case, registered initially by the UP Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) on September 12, 2018, was taken over by the NIA on September 24, 2018. This case was registered against Qamar-Uz-Zaman and others for carrying out terror attacks by HM cadres at different places in UP and other parts of India.

Zaman and one absconding accused, Osama-bin-Javed were charge-sheeted in NIA special court, Lucknow on March 11, 2019, under various sections of the IPC and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

Osama was killed in an encounter with security forces on September 28, 2019.

On May 29, 2021, a supplementary charge sheet was filed against the arrested accused Nisar Ahmad Sheikh and Nishad Ahmad Butt, both residents of J&K.

A second supplementary charge sheet was filed against the arrested accused Danish Naseer on November 25, 2022.

“Investigations revealed that accused Qamar-Uz-Zaman was radicalized by Osama-bin-Javed to join HM and both received nine months’ training by HM cadres. Absconding accused Riaz Ahmed, an active militant and district deputy commander of the HM, along with co-accused Mohammad Amin, an active militant and district commander of HM, was involved in recruiting and training accused Zaman and Osama in the forests of Kishtwar district of J&K,” said the NIA.

After completion of training, Zaman was directed to set up bases and hideouts and select targets in Uttar Pradesh, Assam, and other parts of India for terrorist activities. He had come to Kanpur for reconnaissance of a few targets, the NIA said.

[With Inputs from IANS]

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