NIA records 100 per cent conviction rate in 2024, cracks multiple cases

The National Investigation Agency NIA has marked a remarkable achievement in 2024 delivering a record 100 per cent conviction rate for the yearWith a strong focus on key national security issues including Left Wing Extremism LWE NorthEast insurgency and the terrorgangster nexus NIArsquos efforts have been instrumental in securing justice and dismantling multiple criminal networksAccording to an official statement a total of 210 accused were arrested across 80 major cases in 2024The NIArsquos operations were particularly concentrated on LWE and NorthEast insurgency with 28 and 18 cases registered respectively Additionally the agency handled cases related to terrorism explosives human trafficking and Khalistani terrorism among othersAmong the cases probed by the NIA included 68 convictions across 25 cases and the filing of 408 charge sheetsThe agencys sustained efforts to dismantle terrorist gangster and criminal networks resulted in the attachment of 137 properties worth Rs 1957 croreFocus on Left Wing Extremism and NorthEast Insurgency Left Wing Extremism LWE continued to be a priority for the agency which registered the highest number of cases in this category A total of 69 arrests were made in LWErelated cases with 28 LWE cases registered and 12 charge sheets filed The NorthEast insurgency also received focused attention particularly in Assam where NIA successfully arrested five individuals in connection with a terrorist plot by ULFAI which included plans to plant IEDs across the stateTerrorGangster Nexus and Khalistani Terrorism The terrorgangster nexus was another area of focus with NIA arresting 14 accused linked to Khalistani terrorist groups The agency conducted 101 searches in these cases contributing to a significant crackdown on crossborder terrorism NIA also made 13 arrests in gangsterrelated cases showing its expanding efforts to curb organized crime tied to international terror networksA landmark case was the arrest and chargesheeting of Pakistanbased Babbar Khalsa International BKI chief Wadhawa Singh alias Babbar and five other terrorists involved in the murder of Vikas Bagga a VHP leader The NIA also secured the extradition of Tarsem Singh Sandhu a wanted Khalistani terrorist from the UAE in connection with conspiracies involving KLF BKI and ISYF to wage war against IndiaWeapon Seizures and AntiTerrorism OperationsNIArsquos success was also reflected in its aggressive crackdown on arms trafficking and terrorist operations Significant arms seizures were made across the country including the recovery of rifles pistols ammunition and explosives linked to terrorist groups and insurgent factions Noteworthy among these was the seizure of 5 rifles 6 pistols and 215 rounds of ammunition in Jammu linked to Hizbul Mujahideen operativesThe agency also dismantled the ISIS Jihadi network arresting 11 ISIS operatives and charge sheeting 24 others involved in terrorismrelated activities In a major breakthrough the Rameshwaram cafe blast case was solved within months with five arrests and four charge sheets filedCracking HighProfile Cases The NIA showcased its agility in solving complex terrorism cases The Rameshwaram cafe blast case which rocked the nation earlier in the year was cracked through coordinated technical and field investigationsAbsconding criminals were also apprehended in various highprofile cases including the Kerala professor handchopping case and the BJP leader Praveen Nattaru murder caseCapacity Building and Strengthening National Security To bolster its operations NIA also focused on capacity building training 1678 state police officers through 11 training programs The establishment of two new exclusive NIA courts in Jammu and Ranchi was a significant milestone as the agency continued to strengthen its infrastructure to tackle growing security challenges