Sleuths of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday arrested Shakul Hameed in Chennai on the charges of having links with Syrian-based ISIS terrorist group.

According to sources, Shakul Hameed was held by the Chief Investigation Officer at Ottery in north Chennai. Shakul Hameed is an accused along with eight others, of hatching conspiracy to stage terror attacks in parts of Tamil Nadu. A case was registered suo motu against the nine accused at the NIA police station in New Delhi.

Investigation in this case has revealed that the main accused Haja Fakkurudeen, a Singapore citizen of Indian origin and native of Cuddalore district in Tamil Nadu, has joined ISIS along with his family, the NIA said in a statement.

Fakkurudeen had visited India twice between November, 2013 and January, 2014, when he had conducted conspiracy meetings along with co-accused Khaja Moideen, Shakul Hameed and others at various places in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka with the intention of recruiting more members to the ISIS.

In pursuance of the conspiracy, Shakul Hameed had attempted to migrate to ISIS-controlled territory in Syria in August, 2015, through Turkey, where he was intercepted by Turkish authorities and deported to India, the statement added.

Shakul Hameed will be produced before the NIA Special Court (Sessions Court for Bomb Blast case), Poonamalle, Chennai, seeking further custody.