Bengaluru: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has announced a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh for information leading to the arrest of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative Junaid Ahmed, who is wanted in connection with a terror case registered in Bengaluru.
Junaid Ahmed, 33, is a declared accused in a case involving the seizure of arms, ammunition and explosives. The case was originally registered at Hebbal Police Station in July 2023 and later taken up by the NIA as part of its ongoing counter-terror investigation.
According to officials, Junaid previously resided in Mallige Layout, Nagashettihalli, in Bengaluru and is known to have operated under multiple aliases.
Reward and Contact Details Announced
The NIA stated that anyone providing credible information leading to Junaid Ahmed’s arrest will be eligible for a reward of Rs 5 lakh. The identity of the informant will be kept strictly confidential.
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Information can be shared through the helpline numbers 080-29510900 or 8904241100, the agency said in its public notice.
Investigators believe Junaid may have fled abroad and could be hiding in a Middle Eastern country. He is reportedly known by several aliases, including Junaid, JD Jamsheeda, John, Suhana, DJ Ritz, Jameela and Jannu.
Background of the Bengaluru Terror Case
In July 2023, the Central Crime Branch (CCB) arrested five terror suspects from Parappana Agrahara Central Jail in Bengaluru. The accused were allegedly recruited by an LeT militant to execute a terror strike in the city.
During the operation, authorities seized seven country-made pistols, 45 live rounds, walkie-talkie sets, a knife and 12 mobile phones from the suspects. An FIR was registered under the Hebbal police station limits against five suspected terrorists, including LeT activist T Naseer alias Umar Haji and Junaid Ahmed.
Investigators also linked the accused to the 2017 kidnapping and murder of Noor Ahmed under the RT Nagar police limits. The five suspects, along with Junaid Ahmed, had earlier spent around 18 months as undertrial prisoners before being released on bail. After their release, they reportedly worked in menial jobs.
Criminal History and Alleged Escape Abroad
Junaid Ahmed was arrested again in 2020 in a red sandalwood smuggling case and spent five months in jail. In 2021, he was arrested in connection with a dacoity case. Police sources said that after securing bail in subsequent cases, he allegedly fled the country.
In a related development, the NIA had earlier arrested Junaid’s mother, Anees Fatima, on charges of allegedly supplying mobile phones and money to LeT operative T Naseer inside Bengaluru Central Jail. Assistant Sub-Inspector Chand Pasha of the City Armed Reserve-South and Dr Nagaraj, a psychiatrist at the jail, were also arrested in connection with the case.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the NIA has urged citizens to come forward with any information that could assist in apprehending the absconding accused.
