KOCHI: A change in travel plans landed Mouinudheen Parakadavath in the NIA net for alleged links with the Islamic State (IS).
If not for that, the 25-year-old from Kanhangad would have gone off to Afghanistan last year to join the extremist group, like 22 others from Kerala.
During his interrogation, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) found Mouinudheen had travelled to Iran last year. From there, he was to go to Afghanistan to join IS.
However, after reaching Iran, his handlers directed him to return to Abu Dhabi to carry out operations in Kerala.
“It was around the time several people from Kasargod and Palakkad travelled to Afghanistan from Abu Dhabi,” an NIA officer told Express.
“Mouinudheen too had travelled to Iran to cross the border to Afghanistan to reach the Nangarhar Province where IS has a stronghold and is attempting to establish the IS Khorasan Wing.
“But due to regular inquiries from his parents, Mouinudheen was directed by the handlers to return to Abu Dhabi and work with IS South India module, busted from Kanakamala in Kannur,” he said.
On his return to India, he was nabbed by NIA with assistance from Interpol on February 15.
NIA has information Kasargod native Abdul Rashid, the main instigator who led the migration of 22 persons to Afghanistan, was familiar with members of the IS South India module.
“Manseed, first accused in the Kanakamala case, knew Abdul Rasheed well. Manseed had discussed plans for migration to Afghanistan with the group,” the officer said.