Banned Islamic Extremist Group PFI’s Largest Arms, Physical Training Centres Attached By NIA In Kerala

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has attached one of the oldest and largest weaponry and physical training centers of the outlawed Popular Front of India (PFI) in Kerala, according to an official.

According to a federal agency spokeswoman in New Delhi, this is the sixth PFI weaponry training center and the 18th property of the group to be attached in Kerala as 'proceeds of terrorism' under the terms of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

In a case filed last year, the NIA issued a charge sheet on March 17 against 59 suspects, including the PFI as an organization.

As part of its ongoing investigation into the matter, the NIA has now attached this 10-hectare training facility.

"The Green Valley Academy, Manjeri, Kerala, is managed by the 'Green Valley Foundation' (GVF) and was used by cadres of the National Development Front and later by the PFI into which it merged," a spokeswoman claimed.

The PFI has been utilizing the site to provide arms training, physical training, and training on the usage and testing of explosives to its cadres, according to the agency.

"The facility was also used to house several members of the 'PFI Service Wing' after they committed crimes, including murders." The center was also utilized to provide extreme and rabid ideological instruction in PFI's divisive and communal agenda and policies to its trained operatives, cadres, and members, according to the spokesman.

According to the FBI, PFI and its frontal organizations were operating from these sites under the pretext of educational institutions.

Malabar House, Periyar Valley, Valluvanad House, Karunya Charitable Trust, and Trivandrum Education and Service Trust (TEST) were the five additional PFI training centers previously attached by NIA in Kerala.

Another 12 PFI offices have been connected, which are used occasionally by the outfit's leadership to organize instruction in weaponry and physical training, ideological propagation, and training for the commission of different crimes, including murders and terrorist activities.

"NIA investigations have revealed that the PFI has been running many such training centers under the guise of charitable and educational trusts formed by members or leaders of the organization."

"Investigations have also revealed that the PFI had hired several buildings for running their training camps and activities relating to terror and violence," the statement added.