Maulana Masood Azhar’s hate speeches used for radicalisation: NIA

NEW DELHI: Terrorist Maulana Masood Azhar’s anti-India speeches were used to radicalise Indians involved with the Burdwan module in West Bengal that was revealed after an accidental blast last year, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has said.

Azhar heads the Pakistanbased terrorist group Jaishe-Mohammad and has been active since he was freed by India in 1999 after the hijack of IC-814 flight.

Based on analysis of digital evidence from desktops and laptops recovered during uncovering of the Burdwan module, the NIA has found that Azhar’s speeches acted as the motivation for nearly three dozen Indians and Bangladeshis roped in by Jamaat-Ul-Mujahideen, Bangladesh (JMB) for planning terror strikes in Bangladesh and India.

“Several incriminating videos were found from laptop and pen drive recovered from an accused Ziaul Hoque which contained speeches of Moulana Masood Azhar, exhorting for violent jihad against India and Kashmir,” the NIA said in a 59-page charge-sheet, which ET has accessed in full. ' “It is established during investigation that JMB cadres were utilising digital devices and internet in pursuance of the conspiracy. Laptops were used by JMB members to show video films containing graphic images of torture on Muslims in different parts of world, to mobilise the vulnerable youths into joining JMB,” the NIA said.