What Did NIA Discover During Raids in Tripura’s Unakoti?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- NIA raids indicate serious investigation into document forgery.
- Potential links to illegal financial operations uncovered.
- Suspects may have connections to a Bangladesh-based terror network.
- Previous NIA operations have targeted Al-Qaeda sympathizers.
- Ongoing vigilance required to combat illicit activities.
Agartala, Nov 12 (NationPress) A squad from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) executed searches at the residences of two suspects in Tripura’s Unakoti district on Wednesday as part of an investigation into a document forgery case, according to officials.
Sources reveal that the searches targeted the homes of Paritosh Shil (45), residing near the Kailashahar Police Station, and Ranu Pal (42), who lives under the Kumarghat Police Station.
Shil is employed as a barber, while Pal works as a hawker. In a media interview, Shil confirmed that the NIA officials searched his home and interrogated him for several hours.
“The NIA team inspected my house and scrutinized numerous documents. They later confiscated my mobile device and bank passbook. Additionally, they requested my presence at their Ahmedabad office on November 20,” Shil stated.
He mentioned that the officials showed him a picture of one Rahim Ali and inquired about him.
“I informed them that I am not acquainted with anyone by that name and have never interacted with him,” he said.
Sources suggest that both Shil and Pal are believed to be involved in the creation of fraudulent documents, participating in illicit financial operations, and having unauthorized connections with individuals in Bangladesh.
However, the NIA and Tripura Police have yet to release any formal statements regarding the searches conducted in northern Tripura’s Unakoti district, which is adjacent to Bangladesh.
A brief communication from Tripura Police confirmed that the NIA's operations were linked to an ongoing investigation into past cases, with local police providing necessary support.
Previously, the NIA had executed searches in several locations in Sonamura, located in Tripura’s Sepahijala district, last November concerning activities related to Bangladeshi operatives associated with the Al-Qaeda terrorist organization.
At that time, simultaneous raids were conducted across nine sites in Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, West Bengal, Bihar, Tripura, and Assam, targeting individuals suspected of supporting or financing the banned organization.
During these operations, the NIA seized incriminating documents, digital devices, and evidence linked to terror funding activities.
According to NIA investigations, the individuals whose properties were raided were thought to be sympathizers of a Bangladesh-based Al-Qaeda network.