Thiruvananthapuram: The National Investigation Agency raided various centres of the banned outfit Popular Front of India across the state on Thursday. The raid which started in the wee hours of Thursday is in progress at 56 centres of PFI.
In Ernakulam, NIA officials have launched search operations at 12 spots with the help of the local police.
Earlier, NIA arrested many of the frontline leaders of PFI in the state. According to reports, the central agency has initiated the crackdown again for tracing the other major leaders. Houses of leaders and centres of PFI are being raided.
NIA officials from Delhi are also participating in the raid. It is hinted that the officials started the inspection at 3 am on Thursday.
The NIA said the searches have led to the recovery and seizure of sharp-edged weapons, incriminating material and digital devices.
"The PFI has been found justifying the use of criminal force and encouraging vulnerable youth to join terrorist organisations," the NIA said.
The case was registered suo moto on September 19 and three days later, the NIA had conducted searches at 24 locations in Kerala, including Offices of PFI and residences of 13 accused.
Meanwhile, there are no reports on PFI leaders in the custody of NIA. It is learnt that none of the leaders was at the centres. The raid is being conducted as part of the probe into the financial sources of PFI.
Houses of leaders including PFI Thiruvananthapuram zonal secretary Muhammad Rashid, Kottayam Kanhirappally PFI district president Suneer Moulavi and former district secretary Bishurul Hafi are being raided.