NIA has busted a new Islamic State-inspired module based in Delhi and UP, which was allegedly in an advanced stage of preparing for attacks in the country.

The module called ‘Harkat ul Harb e Islam’, had even amassed weapons and explosives, according to NIA sources.

NIA sleuths, who had been tracking the module along with Central intelligence agencies for some time, are currently raiding 16 locations spread across Delhi, Amroha, Ghaziabad and Lucknow.

There are at least 6-7 locations in Delhi itself, mostly in Seelampur.

In the raids conducted till now, 5 persons have been arrested from Uttar Pradesh.

NIA with a joint operation with UP ATS conducted raids at Mohalla Shahi Chabootara, Jama Maszid and Islam nagar in city area of Amroha. Teams later raided at Saidpur Emma Village in Naugawan Sadaat tehsil and detained 3 brothers for interrogation.

Another NIA team conducted raid at Baksar Mosque in Hapur district. Imam of the mosque Maulan Saqib, a resident of village vet of Simbhawali area of the district was detained for interrogation. Sources in the NIA said search is still going on and some more arrests are expected soon.

NIA sources said many active members of the IS-inspired module are identified and are likely to be arrested by this evening. According to the NIA sources the members of the module were in touch with each other.

Their questioning is expected to lead them to their handlers and mentors, and reveal their exact plans for carrying out attacks.