NIA Conducts Searches at Five Locations in Bengal, Youth Arrested in Budge Budge Over Alleged Bangladesh Module Link

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted searches at five locations in West Bengal as part of its probe into an alleged network linked to the Bangladesh-based Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and its reported offshoot, Imam Mahmuder Kafila.

According to an ABP Ananda report published on September 29, 2026, a youth was arrested from the Budge Budge area during the operation. Investigators suspect an alleged link between the youth and a Bangladesh-based module.

The operation is part of a wider investigation. Reports said the NIA conducted searches at 16 locations across Assam, West Bengal and Kerala on Tuesday, including five locations in West Bengal.

The investigation is focused on Imam Mahmuder Kafila, which investigators have described as an offshoot or shadow organisation of JMB. Earlier NIA investigations have examined allegations involving radicalisation, expansion of the network and suspected cross-border links.

Investigators are examining the activities and communications of people suspected of being connected to the network and are collecting documents and other evidence during the searches.

The NIA had earlier said that 11 accused had been chargesheeted in the related case. Details of materials recovered during Tuesday's searches had not been fully disclosed at the time of the reports.

Source: ABP Ananda. Additional context: National Investigation Agency disclosures. Report published on September 29, 2026.