Ahmedabad: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday carried out searches at around 19 locations in five states, including Gujarat. In Gujarat, the raid took place in Viramgam, Ahmedabad district, where a Muslim cleric was interrogated for suspected ties to the terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

The searches occurred at 19 locations across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir as part of an investigation into the alleged activities of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), which reportedly aimed to radicalise youths and spread terror in India.

A senior officer stated that the individual under investigation is 30-year-old Adil Vepari, a cleric and teacher who worked at a madrassa and mosque in Chekhla village, Sanand. A native of Viramgam, Vepari was reportedly an online member of the JeM group.

He is suspected of radicalising youths, and the agency discovered that he had joined JeM through Telegram channels. “We learnt that he was in contact with JeM operatives and  sympathizers. We interrogated him, examined his devices, and seized documents from his madrassa that will be reviewed. Vepari was released on Thursday but may be called for further questioning if necessary,” the officer said. DeshGujarat