NIA claims PFI planned to ‘capture Southern India’ if nation went to war with Pakistan

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has told a Delhi court that the Popular Front of India (PFI) allegedly planned to “capture Southern India” if India went to war with Pakistan, according to a report by The Indian Express.

During concluding arguments on charges in the PFI leadership case, the NIA said a protected witness disclosed that cadres were taught that “in case India goes to war with Pakistan, ‘the focus would be on north’ and at that time, they would attack from the South and ‘capture Southern India’”.

The case centres on an alleged conspiracy by the PFI leadership to radicalise Muslim youth. As per the report, the agency said the organisation spread propaganda claiming Islam was under threat in India and identified youths considered vulnerable to such messaging.

According to the NIA, these youths were allegedly trained for violent activities. The agency said PFI lectures aimed to create hostility between Hindus and Muslims and described the outfit as a major threat to national unity.

Prosecutors told the court that the organisation promoted hostility towards Hindus by portraying Islam as being under threat in India. Susceptible youths were allegedly identified and groomed to take part in violent activities framed as jihad.

Alleged links to extremist ideology

The prosecution further alleged that PFI encouraged members to align with the Islamic State and advocated the establishment of a caliphate and Sharia law in India. Lectures were said to have invoked historical narratives of Mughal rule and portrayed a decline in Muslim status thereafter to deepen communal divides.

Witness statements, according to the prosecution, also referred to discussions on the Babri Masjid demolition and the Gujarat riots.

Members were allegedly required to make monthly contributions known as “Baitulmaal”. Some were also motivated to travel to Syria to learn combat methods, the prosecution said.