Eight terrorists linked to an Islamic State module in Karnataka’s Ballari have been arrested and plans to trigger IED blasts foiled, the National Investigation Agency said Monday after raids this morning in 19 locations across four states, including Mumbai and Pune in Maharashtra and Delhi.

Caches of explosive materials, such as sulphur, potassium nitrate, and gunpowder, as well as weapons and documents with details of proposed strikes have been recovered, the anti-terror agency said. The NIA also recovered sharp-edged weapons like daggers, cash, and digital devices.

The leader of the Ballari module – Minaz, also known as Mohammed Sulaiman – is among those who were arrested in these ops, which were carried out by the NIA and police in Karnataka’s Ballari and Bengaluru, in Pune and Mumbai in Maharashtra, and Delhi, as well as Jharkhand’s Bokaro.

The terrorists, who used IM apps to communicate with each other, planned to use the explosive materials to create IEDs, or improvised explosive devices, to carry out, as yet unspecified, terror acts.

They reportedly also targeted college students to radicalise and recruit.

The NIA case against the Ballari module was filed last week. Since then, the agency has been working closely with state police and other central agencies to track down and apprehend the terrorists.

Last week, the NIA raided over 40 locations in Maharashtra and arrested 15 people, one of whom was the leader of a module, and was administering an oath of allegiance to new recruits. There were also raids in Bengaluru in a related case – one linked to radicalisation by a Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist 

READ | Digital Devices, Lakhs In Cash Seized In Bengaluru Anti-Terror Raids

The agency also raided locations in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Madhya Pradesh, and recovered an Indian Army uniform, as well as arms and ammunition, cash and jewelry, and other incriminating evidence.

READ | Army Uniform Seized During Raids Across 4 States In Terror Financing Case

It said the arrested suspects were “cadres and sympathisers of PLFI (People’s Liberation Front of India, a banned group)”, and that they were involved in a conspiracy to commit terrorist activities.

The NIA said its probe revealed PLFI cadres were extorting money from coal traders and other businessmen in Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Odisha to finance their terror activities.

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Around 500 passengers on Monday were stuck at the Srivaikuntam railway station in the Tuticorin district of Tamil Nadu after heavy rain battered the southern parts of the state.

The station is surrounded by water on all sides and the trains can’t move as the tracks are damaged.

Due to soil erosion, the ballast over which railway tracks were fixed was washed away in Srivaikuntam and iron tracks with only supporting cement slabs were seen dangling precariously.

The rescue work has been suspended as the road to the station has been cut off. The train was going from Thiruchendur to Chennai.

“The passengers are safe. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is trying to reach the station. Efforts are underway to airdrop food,” Guhanesan, Chief PRO, Southern Railways, told NDTV.

Though there is respite from rain in some areas, release of surplus water from dams continued, which led to water-logging.

Chief Minister MK Stalin has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his appointment on December 19 to discuss rain and the flood situation in southern parts of the state.

Kanyakumari, Thoothukudi, Tenkasi and Tirunelveli are the four southern districts hit by the very heavy rainfall.

Kayalpattinam in Tuticorin received 95 cm rain in 24 hours.

With River Thamaraparani running in spate with release of waters from Papanasam dam, waters have entered homes in several low lying pockets of Tuticorin and Tirunelveli.

More than 7,000 people have been evacuated in these four districts.

After several teasers and posters, the makers of Dunki have unveiled a new song. Directed by Rajkumar Hirani, the film marks Shah Rukh Khan’s third project for the year.

Dunki Drop 6 is an energetic song titled Banda. It is being described as his character’s anthem. The music video sees Shah Rukh Khan dancing his heart out.

Check it out here: 

The video sets up Hardy’s story from his small-town origins to his efforts to migrate with his loved ones. It also teases the main conflict of the film.

The description reads – “Kabhi hua na na hi hoga aashiq iske jaisa, chaahe khud marr jaaye iska ishq rahega zinda” – kuch aise hain sadde Hardy paaji. Presenting Hardy’s anthem from Dunki – ‘Banda’”   

Previously the makers revealed several songs from the film’s music album including Lutt Putt Gaya, Nikle The Kabhi Hum Ghar Se and O Maahi.

Recently, Shah Rukh Khan attended a promotional event in Dubai. Read all about it here:

Everything that went down at Shah Rukh Khan’s Dunki promotions in Dubai

Dunki which also features Taapsee Pannu, Boman Irani and Vicky Kaushal in pivotal roles will release on December 21, 2023, in theatres.