The leader (Ameer) of the Islamic State’s Thrissur-based module, Siyed Nabeel Ahammed, was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Chennai on Wednesday (6 September).

Ahammed, who had been evading capture, was apprehended by the NIA’s Fugitive Tracking Team after moving between hideouts in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

The central agency revealed that he was planning to escape the country using forged travel documents, with Nepal as a transit point.

After receiving specific inputs, the NIA’s team diligently worked on the case for several weeks before successfully locating the suspect in Chennai.

During the arrest, incriminating documents and digital devices were seized from Ahammed. He is an accused person in a Kochi case.

In July of this year, the agency successfully tracked and arrested Ashif, also known as Mathilakath Kodayil Ashraf, from his hideout near Sathyamangalam in Tamil Nadu.

A case was registered against him under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

During the investigation, it was discovered that the Islamic State module based in Thrissur had been plotting terrorist activities in Kerala. They had even conducted a dry run and raised funds to carry out their plans.

The NIA has reported that the Islamic State has been increasing its activities in India by establishing modules in different states and recruiting young individuals who support the Jihadi ideology.

Ahammed’s involvement had already been confirmed in a previous terror case; he was named as the third accused person in that case.

More information regarding the plans of the Thrissur module will be revealed as the investigation progresses.

The newly formed Fugitive Tracking Team of the NIA is said to be currently pursuing several individuals who are on the run in connection with cases in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. It is expected that a breakthrough will be achieved soon.