NIA Arrests Long-Time Absconder in Kerala PFI Case at Cochin Airport

New Delhi, February 18, 2026 — In a major breakthrough for national security, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a high-profile absconder linked to the banned Popular Front of India (PFI). The accused, identified as Moideenkutty P, was apprehended at Cochin International Airport immediately upon his arrival from the UAE.

A resident of Malappuram district, Kerala, Moideenkutty had been evading law enforcement for over three years following the registration of a high-stakes terrorism case in September 2022.

The NIA identifies Moideenkutty P as the former Coordinator of Physical Education Training for the PFI in Kerala. According to the agency, he played a pivotal role in a criminal conspiracy aimed at radicalizing youth and creating communal divisions within India.

Investigations revealed that the organization used the guise of “Physical Education” and “Yoga Training” to provide clandestine arms training to selected cadres. These activities were allegedly part of a broader mission to establish Islamic Rule in India by 2047 through violent jihad and the dismemberment of the country.

This arrest follows a series of proactive probes where the NIA recovered incriminating documents from the accused’s residence in Valancheri. The agency’s ongoing investigation into the PFI’s various specialized units—including its ‘Reporters Wing’ and ‘Service Teams’—has already led to the chargesheeting of 65 individuals.

With Moideenkutty P now in custody, the anti-terror agency expects to uncover further details regarding the group’s infrastructure and its international links used for fundraising and logistical support.