Lucknow, Oct 30 (NationPress) In a notable turn of events concerning the ongoing investigation into a terror conspiracy associated with the banned Al Qaeda group, a Special Court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Lucknow has sentenced an accused individual to imprisonment and imposed a fine for his role in a terror conspiracy connected to the banned Al Qaeda organization operating from the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

The court sentenced Mohammad Moid, a resident of Lucknow, to the equivalent of the time he has already served in custody—one year, nine months, and thirteen days—related to the terror conspiracy involving the banned Al Qaeda organization.

Additionally, a fine of Rs 5,000 was levied on Moid under Section 25(1B)(a) of the Arms Act in conjunction with Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code. The sentence was delivered after the accused entered a guilty plea, as stated by officials.

This sentencing represents a critical milestone in a case that traces back to a thwarted plot by Al Qaeda’s affiliate, Ansaar Gajwatul Hind (AGH), which aimed to instigate terror in Uttar Pradesh prior to Independence Day 2021.

Moid was convicted under Section 25(1B)(a) of the Arms Act coupled with Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code, as reported by the agency. His guilty plea led to the court imposing a sentence equivalent to his time in custody—one year, nine months, and thirteen days.

His conviction is linked to his involvement in facilitating the acquisition of arms and ammunition to advance AGH’s terror objectives.

The case dates back to July 2021, when the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) apprehended two Al Qaeda operatives based on intelligence from Umar Halmandi, a key recruiter for the group, as per the statement.

Halmandi had pinpointed and recruited individuals in Lucknow to form a local module of Al Qaeda, with AGH assigned to execute a series of attacks in major cities across the state, particularly Lucknow, before August 15, 2021, the statement indicated.

After the arrests, the NIA took over the investigation and filed a chargesheet against five individuals on January 5, 2022, subsequently supplementing it with another in August of the same year.

The trial for the remaining accused is ongoing. According to NIA findings, Moid, together with Shakeel and Mohd. Mustaqeem, assisted Minhaj and Museeruddin in acquiring weapons and explosives.

Minhaj had been radicalized by Tawheed and Adil Nabi alias Musa, leading to a conspiracy with Museeruddin, who had pledged allegiance (baiyat) to the cause.

Both had amassed arms and explosives intending to wage war against the Government of India.

The conviction of Moid highlights the severity of the threat posed by transnational terror groups and the vigilance of Indian security agencies in thwarting such conspiracies.

As the trial progresses for the remaining accused, this case serves as a stark reminder of the continuous efforts required to combat terrorism within the nation.