IB, NIA teams quizz, Pakistan and Bangladesh nationals nabbed in Jigani

BENGALURU: Four foreign citizens, including Pakistani national Rashid Ali Siddiqui and his Bangladeshi wife Ayesha, who were detained by Jigani police at Anekal, are being intensely interrogated by the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials since Monday night.

The investigation focuses on their possible links to banned organisations, financial transactions and illegal entry (infiltration) into India. Among the four arrested are Ayesha’s parents.

The questioning is expected to focus on their connections with Pakistani terrorist organisations, financial dealings with banned entities or organisations, how they entered India and got hold of Aadhaar and passport using fake documents, involvement in religious propagation in India and if any others are allied with them in propogation.

The interrogation aims to uncover more Pakistani nationals in hiding and their connections. The officials concluded their inquiry for the night on Monday, and the accused will remain in police custody for 10 days.

Police produced the accused before a court on Monday evening and obtained custody. The authorities have seized a computer and laptop from the accused’s residence and are analyzing the data. During the court hearing, the accused revealed their Karachi address, confirming their Pakistani nationality. The accused responded to queries from the magistrate, admitting to the charges.

Today, senior police officials visited Jigani police station where the accused are being held in custody. After the interrogation last night, Ayesha was shifted to a women’s shelter home. Jigani police brought her back to the station this morning for further questioning.