Base Movement linked to TN-based terror group: NIA

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) probing the activities of Base Movements has found that two of its members were closely associated with a faction of Al-Umma.

KOCHI: Operatives of the Base Movement, which carried out low-intensity bomb explosions at five court complexes in South India, have been following the ideology and operational methods of Tamil Nadu-based extremist group Al-Umma.


The National Investigation Agency (NIA) probing the activities of Base Movements has found that two of its members were closely associated with a faction of Al-Umma.

An NIA official
An NIA official


Base Movement extensively followed the ideology of Al-Umma, which was formed to avenge the demolition of Babri Masjid, though the accused in the blast cases were allegedly inspired by the online videos of Al-Qaeda. 


“Pamphlets and digital content found at the blast sites contain warning messages for registering case against certain leaders of  the Muslim community, a strategy often followed by the Al-Umma.

Unlike, the Al-Qaeda, the Base Movement is not much interested in international issues such the conflicts in Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq. The group’s primary focus is local issues such as the cases involving Afzal Guru and Madhani;  ‘beef-related’ controversies and issues of Kashmiri Muslims,” said an NIA official.


The NIA has received information that Samsudheen alias Karuva Samsudheen and Abbas Ali, Base Movement members accused in the bomb blast cases, were associated with the Imam Ali faction of Al-Umma, which operates from Madurai. It is also learnt that certain Al-Umma operatives were trained by the IS and the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen.


“The accused are being interrogated in custody, and efforts are on to trace the other  persons associated with the group,” said an NIA official in Kochi.

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