Bengaluru Imam Urges Community to Help NIA Track LeT Terrorist Junaid Ahmad
Bengaluru : Following the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) announcement of a ₹5 lakh reward for information leading to the capture of Lashkar-e-Taiba operative Junaid Ahmad, the chief imam of the City Market Jamia Masjid in Bengaluru has appealed to the community to assist authorities in the interest of national security.
The NIA recently declared a cash reward for credible information about Junaid Ahmad, an alleged member of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), who is reportedly absconding. In response, Imam Maqsood Imran Rashadi issued a public message urging people not to view the reward as an incentive but to consider it their civic duty to support law enforcement agencies.
“Islam does not support terrorism or the killing of innocents under any circumstances,” Rashadi said while addressing members of the congregation. He emphasized that members of the Muslim community should not be motivated by money but by their responsibility as citizens of the country. “Providing information about anti-social or anti-national elements is a service to the nation,” he added.
The imam also stated that the awareness campaign would extend beyond Bengaluru. He said that the message would be communicated through mosques across Karnataka to ensure wider reach. According to him, there are around 800 mosques in Bengaluru and more than 2,000 across the state.
Based on posters released by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), announcements will be made in mosques urging people to report any credible information about the absconding terror suspect. Rashadi stressed that any individual found engaging in activities harmful to society must be reported to authorities immediately.
He further reiterated that upholding the law and cooperating with investigative agencies is a fundamental responsibility of every citizen. The appeal comes amid ongoing nationwide efforts by security agencies to crack down on extremist networks.
Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and share verified information through official channels to aid in the investigation.
