Centre approves a NIA proposal to open research cell on ISIS: Rajnath Singh

 A new unit dedicated to monitoring the activities of terror outfit Islamic State (ISIS) will soon be operational as part of the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Announcing this here on Friday, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the Centre approved a NIA proposal to open a research cell on ISIS. Around 100 new posts were also created in NIA for effective investigation and supervision.

Singh appreciated the probe agency’s role in detecting various complex cases, at the inaugural of the office-cum-residential complex of NIA for Hyderabad and Guwahati units at Hitec City in Madhapur. He said the combined efforts taken up by NIA and other Central and States agencies resulted in the reduction of terror funding and fake Indian currency notes (FICN).

Singh said terror funding was a big factor in promoting terrorism. There, however, was a decline and this was only



because of the way NIA performed its role, he said. Circulation of counterfeit currency notes also came down.

The conviction rate of NIA was 92 per cent, which was a matter of pride for everyone, he said. The premier investigating agency was successful in coordinating with other agencies, including anti-terror squads of different States, Singh said.

It was effectively probing cases related to ISIS activities and insurgency too. It was facing a key task when there was any foreign link to the case, he said. NIA should strive to achieve 100 per cent conviction rate, the Union Minister said.

NIA DG Yogesh Chander Modi explained in detail the cases that were being probed by the agency since its inception on January 19, 2009. The agency conducted various training programmes for the benefit of investigating officers (IOs).