Pakistan’s ISI, LeT sent hand grenades for ‘lone wolf’ attack in Hyderabad: NIA

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) stated that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the proscribed terror organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) provided hand grenades to their sympathisers and planned with them to carry out “lone wolf” attacks and explosives in Hyderabad City.

The FIR, filed on January 25 against three Hyderabad residents, also stated that the accused men were directed to hurl hand grenades at public gatherings and processions in order to incite communal strife. The Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan and the proscribed terror organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) had made hand grenades available to their sympathisers and conspired with them to conduct out “lone wolf” attacks and explosives in Hyderabad Ci.

The duty was assigned to one Abdul Zahed alias Zahed alias Mohammad, who was charged in multiple terror-related crimes in Hyderabad, according to the FIR, who stated that Zahed had recruited several teenagers, including Maaz, Samiuddin, and others, on the orders of the ISI and LeT. In addition to Zahed, the NIA charged Maaz Hasan Farooq and Samiuddin with planning terror acts in Hyderabad in October 2022 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

According to the FIR, Zahed conspired with his gang members to carry out terror acts like as bombings and lone-wolf assaults in Hyderabad City on the orders of his Pakistani superiors in order to instil fear in the hearts of the general public. “It was also learnt that Zahed had received hand grenades from Pakistan-based handlers and was planning to hurl at public gatherings and processions in order to create communal tension,” according to the FIR.

On October 1, 2022, the Hyderabad Police opened a case under UAPA charges after seizing two hand grenades, two mobile phones, and Rs 3,91, 800 from Zahed’s premises. Given the sensitivity of the situation, the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Counter Terrorism and Counter Radicalisation Division referred the case to the NIA, citing inter-state and international ties.