New Delhi, Jun 4
A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Mohali on Thursday sentenced three men to rigorous imprisonment for their involvement in a 2018 terror conspiracy case linked to the banned terrorist organization Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind. The case stemmed from the recovery of weapons, ammunition, and explosive material from a hostel room in Jalandhar. The court awarded prison terms ranging from five to ten years after finding the accused guilty under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Arms Act, and the Explosive Substances Act.
The NIA special court sentenced Zahid Gulzar, Yasir Rafiq Bhat and Mohammad Idris Shah, who were convicted earlier this week. According to the investigating agency, the punishment was handed down following the completion of trial proceedings in the terror conspiracy case.
Another accused, Suhail Ahmed Bhat, was acquitted by the court.
The case was initially registered by the Punjab Police in October 2018 and was later transferred to the NIA in November of the same year on the directions of the Government of India.
The investigation began after Punjab Police conducted a search at the CT Institute hostel in Shahpur, Jalandhar, where weapons, ammunition, and explosive material were recovered from a room allegedly occupied by the accused. Among the items seized were an AK-56 rifle, magazines, live cartridges, and explosive substances.
According to the NIA, the investigation revealed that the accused had entered into a criminal conspiracy to further the activities of Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind and pursue actions aimed against the Government of India.
During the course of the probe, the agency examined oral, documentary, electronic, and forensic evidence. The prosecution also presented testimony from 64 witnesses during the trial.
The conviction and sentencing mark the culmination of a case jointly pursued by the Punjab Police and the NIA. The agency said the judgment strengthens ongoing efforts to combat terror-related activities and prosecute individuals involved in extremist conspiracies.
