Guwahati | The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday conducted searches at 16 locations across Assam, West Bengal and Kerala as part of its probe into an alleged cross-border terror conspiracy, officials said.

The searches were carried out at 10 locations in Assam, five in West Bengal and one in Kerala, according to officials.

The operation is linked to an ongoing investigation into alleged radicalisation activities in Assam involving Imam Mahmuder Kafila (IMK), which investigators have described as an offshoot of the banned Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB).

The searches are aimed at collecting evidence related to alleged radicalisation activities and suspected cross-border links of individuals associated with the IMK network, officials said.

Investigators are also examining the activities, contacts and possible links of individuals suspected to be connected with the case.

The NIA is probing the alleged operations of the IMK network in Assam and its suspected links with groups or individuals operating across the international border.

The agency’s action comes as part of its efforts to trace the wider network allegedly involved in the radicalisation and cross-border conspiracy.

Further details about the premises searched, individuals questioned and materials, if any, recovered during the operation are awaited.