Bangaluru

A leading Islamic cleric has appealed to the public to cooperate with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in furnishing information about Junaid Ahmed, a suspected operative of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, who is the mastermind behind a major terror plot to destabilise the city and carries a reward on his head.

Maqsood Imran Rashadi, Chief Imam of City Market Jamia Masjid, and Principal of Jamia-ul-Uloom Arabic College, has appealed to the community to serve the nation by providing information about the fugitive terrorist Junaid Ahmed.

Though the NIA has announced a reward of Rs 5 lakh to anyone providing information about the terrorist, Maqsood Imran Rashadi has asked the community members not to help the NIA merely for the sake of the reward.

Junaid Ahmed, who is known by many aliases, is wanted by the NIA in the case that dates back to July 2023, when the Central Crime Branch of the Bengaluru Police intercepted a massive terror module.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Imam said, "Islam never supports terrorist acts or killing of innocent people. Although the NIA has announced a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh for information about the absconding accused, the society should not look at the reward. It would be a true service to the country to catch such people and ensure legal action against them."

He said that he would spread his message and NIA’s announcement to all mosques in the state. “If anyone comes across Junaid Ahmed or any other person who is dangerous to society, I request them to inform the authorities immediately."

Poster of the gufitive LeT terrorist released by the NIA

He said cooperating with the law and order authorities and serving the country through loyalty are the primary duties of a citizen.

The Imam said he would ensure his appeal is relayed in all the 800 mosques in Bengaluru and over 2,000 in the state of Karnataka.

The police arrested five suspects and seized a significant cache of weaponry intended for subversive activities across the city. The seized items included ​4 live grenades,​7 pistols,​45 rounds of live ammunition,​walkie-talkies, and other electronic devices.

​The suspects, residents of Hebbal, RT Nagar and Kodigehalli, were allegedly planning a series of blasts under the direct leadership of Junaid.

Jamia Masjid, City Bengaluru#BlackOutAgainstWaqfAmendments#LightOffForWaqf#SaveWaqfSaveConstitution pic.twitter.com/hQ525yyfn9

— Mufti Dr. Mohamed Maqsood Imran Rashadi (@maqsoodimran) April 30, 2025

​Investigations revealed that Junaid’s path to terrorism began in Bengaluru prison. While serving time for a 2017 murder case, Junaid came into contact with T. Naseer, the mastermind behind the 2008 Bengaluru serial blasts.​

Police allege that Naseer radicalised Junaid and his associates within the jail walls. Upon his release, Junaid allegedly began coordinating with LeT handlers to execute a major strike in Bengaluru.

​Junaid has been on the run for nearly four years, evading multiple law enforcement agencies. To stay off the radar, he is known to use at least nine different names. ​ ​Following the gravity of the CCB’s findings, the case was officially handed over to the NIA.

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The agency has now launched a massive public awareness campaign, pasting posters featuring Junaid’s photos in prominent locations. ​The NIA has assured that the identity of any informant providing credible leads on Junaid’s whereabouts will be kept strictly confidential.