The notorious murder groups affiliated with the PFI finalised their operations based on the data collected by Sadiq. He worked as the “reporter” in charge of identifying non-Muslim “targets” to be included in the hit list, Malayala Manorama quoted the NIA as saying.

Muhammad Sadiq was picked up from his residence in Kollam district’s Chavara in the early hours of Tuesday following a raid by the central agency. The officers reportedly confiscated crucial reports and digital evidence during the raid. Sadiq’s travel records were also seized from the house, the news report said.

Earlier, another second-tier leader of the PFI was arrested from Kochi and weapons were recovered from his possession, the Malayala Manorama report added.

In December 2021, the NIA raided as many as 56 locations in Kerala in connection with the organisation. The search operations were initiated after the central probe agency received inputs that the members of PFI are trying to hold a secret meeting at various places.

Earlier this month, the BJP had demanded a ban on the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), the political front of the PFI.