NIA Nabs Key Accused In Bihar's Phulwari Sharif Module Case

22-year-old Yakoob Khan alias Sultan was arrested from the Uttar Govindara village on charges pertaining to unlawful and anti-national activities of PFI members, then handed over to the NIA

Bihar police claimed that with Khan’s arrest, it has succeeded in catching three of the six accused about whom inputs were received from the NIA. ( Image Source :ANI )

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested a prime accused in the Phulwari Sharif module case relating to the banned Popular Front of India (PFI), on Wednesday. According to Bihar police headquarters, 22-year-old Yakoob Khan alias Sultan, a resident of East Champaran district, was arrested from the Uttar Govindara village on charges pertaining to unlawful and anti-national activities of PFI members, then handed over to the NIA. Khan was arrested in a joint operation by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the district police.

He had been on the NIA radar since PFI's network was busted in Patna's Phulwari Sharif locality in 2022, just before the ban was imposed on the organisation. As per the federal agency, Khan worked as a physical trainer, however, he allegedly posted videos on social media, "aimed at spreading communal tensions". He has also been accused of conspiring to "execute a targeted killing", recce and procuring weapons.

Bihar police claimed that with Khan’s arrest, it has succeeded in catching three of the six accused about whom inputs were received from the NIA. In May, an accused identified as Anwar Rashid, a resident of Sant Ravidas Nagar in Uttar Pradesh was arrested. His arrest followed a detailed examination and analysis by the NIA of the various incriminating documents, digital devices and letters seized earlier during a search at his house on April 25 this year, said the NIA.

The investigation has revealed that Anwar is a former member of the banned terrorist organisation SIMI and is currently associated with several PFI members of Bihar and UP, including one Athar Parvez who was named in the FIR and arrested on July 12 last year, said the anti-terror agency. 

Anwar was considered instrumental in preparing a secret group of ex-SIMI members to work for PFI, according to the NIA.

 In March, Irshad Alam was nabbed in East Champaran, while Mumtaz Ansari, belonging to the same district, was caught with the help of local police in Tamil Nadu last month.