The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed chargesheet against five Al-Qaeda operatives in conspiracy to carry out IED blast in Uttar Pradesh.

NIA said in a statement on Thursday that it has filed chargesheet against five arrested accused persons, namely Museeruddin, Minhaj Ahmad, Shakeel, Mustaqeem, and Mohammad Moid, all residents of Lucknow.

The case relates to a FIR filed in July 2021 at the Gomti Nagar Police Station in the state capital which was re-registered by NIA.

According to the investigation agency, it was revealed that accused Minhaj Ahmad was radicalized online by two Al Qaida terrorists based in Jammu and Kashmir.

He had entered into a conspiracy with them for further recruiting members for Al-Qaeda affiliate AGH (Ansaar Gajwatul Hind) and for committing terrorist acts.

He recruited Museeruddin into Al Qaida fold and involved him in the conspiracy for committing terrorist acts in UP. Museeruddin and Minhaj Ahmad procured arms, ammunition, explosive material and conducted reconnaissance of vulnerable areas for carrying out blasts with an intention to wage war against the Indian government.

Other three accused Shakeel, Mohd. Mustaqeem and Mohammad Moid aided and abetted Minhaj and Museeruddin in procuring weapons and ammunitions, thus becoming a party in furtherance of the conspiracy.

The agency said that further investigation in the case continues.

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