A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) Court has convicted and sentenced three individuals in a 2018 terror conspiracy case associated with the banned Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGH) terrorist group. The convictions of Zahid Gulzar, Yasir Rafiq Bhat, and Mohammad Idris Shah were announced by the NIA special court in Mohali, Punjab. The sentences range from five to ten years of rigorous imprisonment under various legal provisions, including the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.
Suhail Ahmed Bhat, another accused in the case initially registered by Punjab Police in October 2018, has been acquitted. The case began with a Punjab Police search at the CT Institute hostel in Jalandhar, resulting in the discovery of weapons, ammunition, and explosives in the accused individuals’ room. Among the seized items were an AK-56 rifle, magazines, live cartridges, and explosive materials.
The NIA investigation uncovered a criminal conspiracy by the accused to advance the activities of the banned AGH terrorist organization, aiming to wage war against the Indian government. The agency’s probe involved extensive examination of oral, documentary, electronic, and forensic evidence, as well as witness testimonies. A total of 64 witnesses testified during the trial, which was a collaborative effort between Punjab Police and the NIA.
