NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday carried out searches at a dozen locations across four states in connection with the alleged smuggling of arms, ammunition and IEDs into the country from across Indo-Pakistan border, as part of a conspiracy to carry out terrorist attacks in Punjab, Delhi and other parts of India. The searches covered four locations inUP, two each in Rajasthan and Bihar and three in Maharashtra. Several digital devices were seized during the coordinated operation by NIA teams which will be further analysed forensically to unveil the complete terror conspiracy in the case, an NIA spokesperson said. The case was registered in February this year following the arrest of one person by Special Operations Cell of Punjab police in Amritsar, after he was found in possession of an IED packed in a metallic case with a remote control set, along with one mobile handset, a foreign-made .30 bore pistol with magazine, and 20 live cartridges. The FIR invoked various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Arms Act, Explosive Substances Act and NDPS Act. After taking over the investigation, NIA found that the cross-border smuggling was aimed at carrying out IED blasts at various places in Punjab, Delhi and other parts of India in order to cause extensive damage to life and property and disrupt the peace and stability of the country. The investigation further revealed that the arrested accused was in touch with several persons in different parts of the country to unleash terror, arson and other violent activities. Efforts are on to identify other Indian and transnational elements involved in the conspiracy, said NIA.
