NIA arrests PFI Hit Squad Trainer in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: National Investigation Agency (NIA) which conducted raids at 56 locations in Kerala on Thursday, has arrested a Martial Arts and Hit Squad Trainer of Popular Front of India (PFI).

The NIA arrested PFI trainer and a practicing Advocate in Kerala High Court, Mohammed Mubarak A, hailing from Edavanakkad, Vyppin, Ernakulam district, in a case registered suo-moto on September 19, 2022, a release said on Friday.

This arrest was made subsequent to the previous arrest of PFI leaders in September last and the another searches conducted at 56 locations in Kerala on December 29.

An assortment of arms, concealed in badminton racket bag; were recovered from his house during the searches yesterday, including an axe, swords and sickles.

Investigations have confirmed that the PFI was raising, training and maintaining Hit Squads in different States and districts to target leaders and members of other communities. Further investigations in the case are in progress.

On December 29, the NIA conducted raids at residences of 7 State Executive Committee members of PFI, 7 Zonal Heads, 15 Physical Training Instructors-Trainers, 7 PFl cadres trained in use of knives, daggers, swords and other types of weapons to carry out murderous violent acts.

The raids were conducted in 20 other suspects in the districts of Trivandrum (3), Kollam (3), Pathanamthitta (3), Kottayam (2), Alappuzha (3), Ernakulam (13), Thrissur (2), Palakkad (1), Malappuram (7), Kozhikode (4), Kannur (9) and Wayanad (6).

In September 22, 2022, the NIA had conducted searches at 24 locations in Kerala, including Offices of PFl and residences of 13 accused. (UNI)