NIA raids in Hyderabad: BJP questions TRS government's 'criminal neglect'

Hyderabad: With a suspected terror module unearthed in the city, the BJP on Wednesday accused the state government of displaying "criminal neglect" in preventing Hyderabad from becoming a "safe haven" for terror elements.

"NIA busted an ISIS module in Hyderabad and raids are still underway. BJP questions TS (Telangana State) government on its criminal neglect in preventing Hyderabad and old city becoming safe havens for terrorists," BJP state unit spokesperson Krishna Saagar Rao said in a statement.

"CM KCR's soft approach and minority vote bank politics is taking a toll on the image of Hyderabad city," he said. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) today carried out raids in different localities of the old city and detained at least five persons, who were allegedly planning terror activities in the city, and recovered some ammunition, police said.

A suspected terror plot has been uncovered in Hyderabad, where the National Investigation Agency has busted an Islamic State cell. The raid was conducted in Moghalpura and Bhawaninagar areas of Hyderabad.

The module was busted in a joint operation of the NIA and the Hyderabad police.

At least 10 suspects have been detained for questioning from 10 raids in the old quarters of the IT-city. NIA IG Sanjeev Kumar said that the agency has conducted searches at around 10 locations in the city.

The suspected ISIS members were allegedly planning to carry out terror strikes in India and were in touch with handlers in Syria for the same.

Firearms, ammunition and currency worth Rs 15 lakh have been seized from the suspects. They were questioned about their source of financing and laptops were also found.

The raids come at a time when parts of the city are virtually under siege, with advocates and lawyers intensifying a strike that has been on for over three weeks.

Prohibitory orders are in place in the entire area. Searches are still going on.