KOCHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) probing cases related to the terror link of 22 persons who went missing from the State a few months ago will initiate an inquiry into the suspected involvement of Wayanad-based Salafi preacher Mohammed Haneef in indoctrinating the youths into the ideology of the Islamic State (IS).
Haneef, a moulavi at a mosque in Kasargod, was earlier arrested by the Mumbai Police for radicalising Kelara-based Ashfaque who left the country along with his wife and child to join the IS. Later, the Mumbai unit of the NIA took over the probe and interrogated Haneef in custody.
“Haneef knew most of the missing persons, and played a key role in indoctrinating them into joining the IS. Some of the persons had visited the Salafi Mosque where Haneef worked,” said NIA officials.
The NIA has registered three cases related to the IS recruitment and alleged attempts to radicalise a Kochi-native whose sister was among the missing persons.
“We are looking for concrete evidence to arraign him as accused. He is already an accused in a case registered based on a complaint filed by the father of a missing person,” said the NIA official. As many as 21 persons left their native places in Kasargod and Palakkad in May and June this year to join the IS in Afghanistan.