In a significant development, the National Investigation Agency or NIA has successfully convicted and sentenced two Bangladeshi nationals affiliated with the banned terror group Ansar-al-Islam. The duo was found guilty of plotting terrorist attacks in Bharat.
Mahmud Hassan, also known as Shariful Hassan, and Mohamad Sayad Hussain, known by several aliases including Mohamad Sa’ad Hussain, Sohan Molla, and Shihab Hossain, were sentenced by the NIA Special Court in Mizoram capital Aizawl. Both received five-year prison terms and were fined Rs 10,000, with an additional month of imprisonment if they fail to pay the fine.
The NIA’s investigation revealed that the two men had illegally entered Bharat and were living in various locations using fake Indian identity documents such as Aadhaar cards. The investigation, taken over by the NIA in September 2019, led to their chargesheet on January 23, 2020.
The case uncovered that Hassan and Hussain were part of a conspiracy led by Ansar-al-Islam, the Bangladesh wing of Al-Qaeda, to execute terrorist activities in India. The NIA’s detailed investigation included analysis of digital documents, incriminating audio recordings, jihad-promoting speeches, and images detailing bomb-making techniques.
The authorities seized 11 mobile phones and 16 SIM cards from the duo. Mahmud Hassan, who was recruited by Abdul Wadud and operated under the guidance of his handler Munir, had conducted reconnaissance of key public and religious sites in Bengaluru.
Mohamad Sayad Hussain, frequently relocating under instructions from his handler Bashir Ahmed, concealed his identity and profession to evade police and security detection, according to NIA findings.
