NIA arrests 3 suspected Al-Qaeda operatives in Madurai plotting to attack PM Modi, other leaders

After raiding several places in Madurai, National Investigation Agency on Monday arrested three suspected Al-Qaeda operatives. According to Police, the three had allegedly been plotting to attack 22 top leaders of the country including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The suspects were also involved in threatening embassies of various countries in India, reportedly. Explosive materials were also seized from them.

Those arrested were identified as M Khareem, Asif Sultan Mohammed and Abbas Ali. While Khareem was arrested from Usmannagar, Asif Sultan Mohammed was picked up from G R Nagar and Abbas Ali from Ismailpuram, said police.

After receiving specific information that suspected Al-Qaeda activists were operating from South Tamil Nadu in and around Madurai, NIA raided several places.

The arrested three were allegedly running the Al-Qaeda unit in South Tamil Nadu. They were also allegedly involved in the explosions that took place in various courts in the country over a period of time, police added. NIA are also on search for two other suspected Al-Qaeda operatives, Hakeem and Dawood Sulaiman.