On 29 December, National Investigation Agency (NIA) officers conducted multiple raids against the Popular Front of India (PFI) second-rung terrorist homes in Kerala. Just like the 23 September raids, this time also, it is feared that PFI spies embedded in Kerala Police leaked information. This helped some terrorists escape in the nick of time. 

Senior NIA officials from Delhi led the inspection. While last time the raid was with the help of CRPF Jawans, this time, NIA sought the help of Kerala Police. Twelve hours before the raids, NIA officials informed the police of the raid. This allegedly led to serious security lapses. HinduPost has long been reporting the presence of highly radicalized Islamist officers in Kerala police who call themselves ‘Pacha Velicham’ (Green Light).

Multiple news agencies reported that local police officers leaked information about the NIA raid in the Pathanamthitta district as per information received by higher officials. Hours before the raid, PFI former regional secretary Mohammad Rashid escaped from his house.

A severe information leak occurred in Pathanamthitta. When the investigation team arrived at three places in the district for inspection, influential PFI leaders had already left the place. Two of them were not there the previous day. Another escaped just before the NIA team reached his house. All this led to the conclusion that the raid information was leaked. 

Even after the PFI ban in late September, some of its leaders and activists were under surveillance by intelligence agencies and the NIA. The recent raid was conducted at 56 centers in Kerala. It aimed to capture those terrorists suspected of trying to keep the outfit active even after the ban.

The raid started around 2 am, and some continued all day. It is reported that many documents and electronic devices, including mobile phones, were seized. The NIA stated that the raid was conducted to collect evidence regarding the ban on the PFI.

Meanwhile, NIA officers seized bags and phones from former PFI State Secretary Nisar’s house. Mobile phones were taken from the place of the former District President in Kollam. Crucial documents were seized from the home of former National President OMA Salam’s brother in Malappuram. Incidentally, Salam was on the Kerala government payroll for several years until he was arrested in September.

Kochi & Ernakulam saw the maximum number of inspections. Mubarak, a local leader of PFI, who hails from Edavanakkad in Kochi, was detained. Several swords and axes were also taken into custody from his possession. He was taken to the NIA office in Ernakulam.

Homes of PFI weapons trainers were also raided in Ernakulam. These terrorists were known as ‘Physical Education Trainers.’ The raid was conducted at 11 centers in Ernakulam’s rural area and one in the city. It is unknown why they are still at large.

Other prominent PFI leaders, too, were arrested. It was reported that three persons, including state leader Zulfi, were detained from Thiruvananthapuram Vithura and brought to Ernakulam. NIA arrested Zulfi, his brother Sudhir and Saleem from Karamana.

After the assassination of top RSS leaders Alappuzha Ranjith and Palakkad Sreenivasan, PFI had prepared elaborate killing and communal riot plans. Pacha Velicham’s presence was confirmed in these cases and many others. To date, the green communists who rule the state have dismissed all but one officer for leaking information about RSS leaders to terrorists. Even then, no further action was initiated against the accused police constable, P K Anas and his current whereabouts remain unknown.  

The NIA also informed that Islamic fundamentalists are active through several sleeper cells in the state. The new raids are based on the information obtained from interrogating terrorists arrested in September. The NIA said that the search is going on in a phased manner, and raids will continue.

Such leaks have dented the image of the Kerala Police, which was already tarnished due to the actions of a few unworthy officers. Weak political masters are allegedly bending over backward to please a few terrorists. The communist regime had a list of around 1,000 traitors within the force but took no action against them for more than three months.

NIA officers consider these leaks serious incidents. Until Pacha Velicham is handled, this cat-and-mouse game will continue.