NIA raids 12 locations in 4 states, picks up Kishanganj youth for questioning

Patna: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday raided 12 locations across four states, including Kishanganj in Bihar, as part of a probe into a cross-border terror conspiracy involving dropping of arms and explosives using drones. The investigating agency picked up a 22-year-old youth from Kishanganj for questioning.

Police sources said in Kishanganj, the NIA team searched a house in Mirzapur village under Pothia block from around 3am. The eight-hour raid was conducted at the residence of Manoj Ravidas, 22, son of Lakhan Ravidas, who has been running a footwear shop at Janata Haat, police sources said. National Security Guard (NSG) and other security personnel were also part of the operation. The NIA has detained Manoj for questioning.

A police source said, “The action targets a terror plot operated from across the border, in which drones were being used to send weapons and explosives into India. The agency suspects the network is linked to active modules in various parts of the country.”

Villagers in Pothia said the team conducted prolonged questioning and searches inside Manoj’s house before taking him away. He was questioned at the Kishanganj Circuit House. The family appeared shocked and distressed after the sudden action.

Locals said the agency may have acted on suspicious call recordings and inputs related to conversations, but no official confirmation has been given by any agency so far.

According to villagers, Manoj runs a footwear shop while his father, Lakhan Ravidas, sustains the family through farming and labour work. They said the family lives a normal life and no major criminal activity linked to them surfaced earlier.

The NIA investigation has revealed that the main handler of the conspiracy is Jasvir Chaudhary, an operator based in Pakistan.

According to official sources, Jasvir, along with his Indian associates, was arranging weapons, ammunition and IEDs by dropping them using drones across the India-Pakistan border.

Officials said Jasvir planned serial blasts in Bihar, Punjab, Delhi and other parts of the country to cause large-scale loss of life and property. The agency is also probing how many other people are part of the network.