Arrested Islamic State operatives had planned to target Haridwar `Ardh Kumbh`, claims NIA

The NIA claimed that all five IS operatives were reportedly trained by their handler in Syria on how to make IEDs by using explosive material extracted from match sticks.

New Delhi: The National Investigating Agency (NIA) has claimed that five suspected operatives of Islamic State (IS) which were arrested recently had planned a terror attack at the Ardh Kumbh Mela held earlier this year in Haridwar. 

All five IS operatives were reportedly trained by their handler in Syria on how to make IEDs by using explosive material extracted from match sticks.

The apex anti-terror agency made these claims in its chargesheet - against the six IS terrorists - which was submitted in a special court on Monday.

The NIA further claimed that the recovery of 65 gms of match powder helped it in establishing the link between the operatives and their handler in Syria. 

The terrorists were also plotting terror attacks at strategic locations in Delhi, it said.

NIA also told the court that huge amount of inflammatory literature and videos of hate speeches by Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Maulana Masood Azhar and some controversial Muslim clerics were also recovered from the operatives.

NIA made these submissions in its chargesheet against Akhlakur Rehman, Md. Azeemushan, Md. Meraj, Md.Osama, Mohsin Ibrahim Sayyed and Yusuf Al-Hindi under Section 120 (conspiracy) of IPC and Sections 18 and 20 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). 

District judge Amar Nath has fixed August 25 for consideration of the chargesheet.

Yusuf Al-Hindi, who is believed to the IS handler in Syria, is absconding.