7 kg of sodium nitrate found at suspect’s house in Bengaluru during NIA raid

BENGALURU, Ballari: The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which conducted raids in connection with a crackdown on a ‘radical, jihadi terror group’, has detained one Samiullah after a raid on his house in Byadarahalli here on Monday and seized 7 kg of sodium nitrate.

Seven kg of sodium nitrate and a bottle of the mixture were found in Samiullah’s house.

Samiullah hails from Ballari and was staying in a rented house owned by one Sampath at Prakruti Nagar in Byadarahalli. Another person, Nikhil, who had converted to Islam and changed his name to Sufiyan, has also been arrested.

Four people were living in the house belonging to K V Sampath Kumar — Altaf of Ballari who works as an engineer in Peenya, Mista who works in a private compaly, Muneeruddin, a student of an engineering college and Samiulla, also a student.

The NIA conducted raids in RT Nagar, Hebbal, Pulakeshinagar, Shivajinagar and Chinnappa Garden in JC Nagar early on Monday. In Ballari, raids were conducted on the houses of seven suspected PFI activists.

An NIA team in Ballari on Monday.

In Ballari, raids were carried out in Cowl Bazaar and Jagati Nagar. Just last month, the NIA had arrested a 19-year-old youth from the town.

Former PFI general secretary Suleman’s house in Ballari was also searched. He is alleged to have visited Afghanistan and conspired to conduct in unlawful activities. The NIA has apprehended Samiullah, Ajaz Ahmed, Suleman, Tabrez, Muzzammil and Nikhil alia Sufiyan.