On Saturday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted simultaneous raids at three locations in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, and two in Jhalawar, Rajasthan, targeting the banned radical organisation Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HuT). The operation, part of a broader investigation into a sinister terror conspiracy, led to the seizure of several suspicious digital devices, including mobile phones and laptops, which have been sent for forensic analysis to uncover further evidence. The NIA alleges that HuT, a pan-Islamic extremist group, was actively plotting to overthrow India’s democratically elected government to establish an Islamic State governed by Shariah law.

 

The group is accused of systematically brainwashing and recruiting vulnerable Muslim youth, particularly from marginalised communities, to promote radical ideologies and incite violence. According to the NIA’s official statement, the raids were part of a concerted effort to dismantle terrorist and radical networks aiming to spread anarchy in India. HuT’s activities involved radicalising youth to reject India’s democratic framework and engage in subversive acts to establish a so-called Islamic Caliphate. The agency highlighted that the group’s propaganda targeted impressionable young minds, encouraging them to partake in anti-government activities under the guise of religious ideology.

 

The digital devices seized during the raids are expected to provide critical insights into HuT’s network, funding sources, and communication channels. Hizb-ut-Tahrir, founded in 1953 in Jerusalem, is a global Islamist organisation with a presence in the Middle East and South Asia. Banned in India under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, HuT has been flagged as a significant threat to national security by the Modi government. Despite its claims of advocating non-violent means, HuT’s supporters have been repeatedly linked to anti-state and disruptive activities world-wide. In India, the group’s efforts to disrupt social harmony and radicalise youth have raised alarm. Previous raids in Bhopal, including arrests in 2023, exposed HuT’s connections to Bangladesh-based operatives, revealing a cross-border network aimed at destabilising India.