NIA Court Convicts Two More in Al Qaeda Terror Plot

A special NIA court has sentenced two individuals involved in an Al Qaeda terror conspiracy to 20-month prison terms. Residents of Lucknow, Mohd Mustaqueem and Shakeel, each fined Rs 5,000, were connected to a 2021 plot to incite terror by radicalizing youth before Independence Day.

The special court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has handed down 20-month prison sentences to two further individuals accused in a terror conspiracy linked to the banned organization, Al Qaeda. An official statement released on Saturday confirmed the convictions.

Both Mohd Mustaqueem and Shakeel, residents of Lucknow, were also fined Rs 5,000 each for their involvement. These convictions follow the earlier sentencing of Mohammad Moid of Lucknow on October 30, in relation to the same case.

The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad arrested the accused on July 11, 2021, following information that Al Qaeda operative Umar Halmandi was orchestrating radicalization efforts in Lucknow. The investigation led the NIA to charge six individuals in relation to plans targeting Uttar Pradesh cities ahead of Independence Day 2021.

(With inputs from agencies.)