JMB's India head gets 7-yr RI for training gullible youths

An anti-terrorism court in Bengaluru convicted Jahidul Islam, the JMB India head, for training youths in Bengal and Assam for jehad. He was sentenced to seven years in prison and fined Rs 57,000. Jahidul, involved in blasts in Burdwan and Bodhgaya, committed dacoities to fund terrorist activities, and NIA seized explosive materials during raids.

BENGALURU: An anti-terrorism court in Bengaluru Monday convicted Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) India head for training gullible Muslim youths from Bengal and Assam for jehad. It sentenced Jahidul Islam, alias Kausar, to seven years of rigorous imprisonment besides slapping a fine of Rs 57,000. Jahidul, the JMB 'amir' of India, along with absconding chief Salauddin Salehin, illegally crossed into India in 2014 after escaping from the custody of Bangladesh police in connection with serial blasts in that country in 2005.

Jahidul and his aides then triggered a blast in Burdwan in Oct 2014. After the blast, they fled to Bengaluru to radicalise Muslim youths. Jahidul and his accomplices were also responsible for the blast in Bodhgaya in Jan 2018, NIA said.

In 2018, they committed four dacoities in Bengaluru and used the booty to procure ammunition, arranging hideouts, and training for terrorist activities. During raids, NIA seized hand grenades, a timer device, electric circuits, and explosive substances used to make IEDs..