NIA court sentences IS terrorist Huzair Farhan Baig to 6 years in Karnataka module case
Synopsis
A fourth member of a clandestine Islamic State module in Karnataka's Shivamogga district has been sentenced to six years in prison, with cryptocurrency used to fund a terrorist hideout in Bengaluru. The alleged online handler 'Colonel' — identified as Mohammed Shaheed Faisal — remains at large, keeping the case open and the NIA's pursuit active.
Key Takeaways
Huzair Farhan Baig sentenced to six years of rigorous imprisonment and fined ₹58,000 by an NIA Special Court on 21 September 2026 .
The case involves a covert Islamic State module operating in Thirthahalli, Shivamogga district , Karnataka, first registered on 19 September 2022 .
Baig allegedly arranged a terrorist hideout in Bengaluru , funded via cryptocurrency routed through associates' accounts.
The NIA has filed four chargesheets against 12 accused ; four have now been convicted and sentenced to six years each.
Online handler Mohammed Shaheed Faisal , alias 'Colonel', remains an absconding accused and is still being traced by the NIA.
A Special Court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has sentenced Huzair Farhan Baig, alias Huzair, to six years of rigorous imprisonment and levied a fine of ₹58,000 in connection with a terror conspiracy case tied to the proscribed outfit Islamic State (IS). The sentencing, announced on 21 September 2026, is the latest conviction in a case centred on a clandestine IS module that operated in Thirthahalli town of Shivamogga district, Karnataka.
Background of the Case
The case was first registered by the Karnataka Police on 19 September 2022, following intelligence inputs about a covert IS cell in Shivamogga. The NIA took over and re-registered the case on 15 November 2022. Investigations uncovered a network allegedly run under the direction of an online handler operating under the alias 'Colonel', later identified as Mohammed Shaheed Faisal — who remains an absconding accused in multiple NIA terror cases.
How the Module Operated
According to the NIA, Faisal was allegedly radicalising and recruiting youths to spread IS ideology and facilitate terrorist activities across India. Baig was reportedly radicalised and recruited by co-accused Maaz Muneer Ahmed and Syed Yasin. On Ahmed's instructions, Baig allegedly arranged a hideout in Bengaluru to support terrorist operations.
The NIA further alleged that Baig received cryptocurrency payments channelled through accounts belonging to his associates. The digital currency was converted into cash and used to fund the Bengaluru hideout. Ahmed reportedly sourced the funds through the online handler Faisal.
Conviction Tally and Chargesheets
The NIA has so far filed four chargesheets against 12 accused persons in the case. With Baig's conviction, four accused — including three convicted earlier — have now been sentenced to six years of rigorous imprisonment with accompanying fines. The agency noted that the convictions reflect the strength of the evidence assembled over a multi-year investigation.
Hunt for Absconding Handler Continues
The NIA stated that efforts to trace Mohammed Shaheed Faisal — the alleged mastermind who reportedly planned and conspired to establish the Karnataka IS module — are ongoing. Faisal's continued evasion underscores the transnational dimension of such cases, where online radicalisation and cryptocurrency-based financing complicate enforcement across jurisdictions. With eight accused yet to face trial, the case is far from its final chapter.
Point of View
Mohammed Shaheed Faisal, remains at large despite being named in multiple NIA cases raises legitimate questions about cross-border coordination and the adequacy of digital surveillance mechanisms. Until Faisal is apprehended, each conviction, while significant, closes only a branch of the network, not its root.
NationPress
21 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Huzair Farhan Baig and what was he convicted for?
Huzair Farhan Baig, alias Huzair, is a member of a clandestine Islamic State module that operated in Thirthahalli, Shivamogga district, Karnataka. He was convicted by an NIA Special Court for terror conspiracy and sentenced to six years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of ₹58,000.
What was the Shivamogga IS module and how did it operate?
The Shivamogga IS module was a covert cell allegedly guided by an online handler known as 'Colonel', later identified as Mohammed Shaheed Faisal, who reportedly radicalised and recruited youths to spread IS ideology and carry out terrorist activities in India. Members arranged hideouts using cryptocurrency-funded finances and operated under the direction of co-accused Maaz Muneer Ahmed and Syed Yasin.
How many people have been convicted in this NIA case so far?
Four of the 12 accused have been convicted and sentenced to six years of rigorous imprisonment with fines. The NIA has filed four chargesheets in the case and continues to prosecute the remaining accused.
Who is Mohammed Shaheed Faisal and why is he significant?
Mohammed Shaheed Faisal is the alleged online handler who operated under the alias 'Colonel' and is accused of planning and conspiring to establish the IS module in Karnataka. He is an absconding accused in several NIA terror cases and has not yet been apprehended despite an ongoing search.
How was cryptocurrency used in this terror case?
According to the NIA, funds were transferred to Huzair Farhan Baig in the form of cryptocurrency, deposited into accounts belonging to his associates. The digital currency was then converted into cash and used to pay for a terrorist hideout arranged in Bengaluru.
