New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday conducted search operations across 16 locations in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi in connection with a new ISIS module 'Harkat ul Harb e Islam', reported PTI.

Inspector General of Police of UP ATS Asim Arun confirmed that five people linked to a terror group have been arrested. He said one person has been arrested from a madrasa in Amroha while four others were arrested from other places.

As per initial reports, 12 suspects were taken into custody. "The searches are going on," an NIA spokesperson said. Agency sources said that the searches are underway since morning at Seelampur in Delhi and Amroha in Uttar Pradesh.

Another official involved in the operation said the arrested people are members of ISIS module Harkat-ul-Harb-e-Islam. The official also confirmed the recovery of explosive materials from the arrested people.

In December 2017, a report published by the ministry of home affairs said that the NIA had arrested as many as 103 accused in cases against ISIS cadres, the maximum number of people being from Uttar Pradesh.

Further details are awaited on the matter.