The NIA, in April, chargedheeted four accused, including Rahaman, in the murder case, taking the total number of charge-sheeted people to 28. (File Photo)The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday arrested a key accused in the murder of Praveen Nettaru, a Karnataka BJP Yuva Morcha leader, upon his arrival at Kerala’s Kannur International Airport from Qatar.The arrested, identified as Abdul Rahaman, had been absconding for the past two years after Nettaru was hacked to death with sharp weapons by members of the Popular Front of India (PFI), a proscribed outfit, on July 26, 2022, in the Dakshina Kannada district.Investigations had revealed that Abdul Rahaman had, on the directions of PFI leadership, voluntarily harboured the main assailants and others involved in the case. Rahaman, who carried a reward of Rs 4 lakh, had fled to Qatar after the attackers were arrested.After Rahaman’s arrest, NIA said on Friday, “The killing was part of a larger conspiracy aimed at striking terror among the people and unleashing communal hatred and unrest in the society.”The NIA, in April, chargedheeted four accused, including Rahaman, in the murder case, taking the total number of charge-sheeted people to 28.Six accused in the case had gone into hiding, prompting the Central agency to declare rewards to those providing information on the absconders.In January, NIA announced the arrest of Ateeq Ahmed, a key accused in the case. According to the agency, Ahmed had under the PFI leadership’s guidance harboured and assisted Mustafa Paichar, identified as the chief conspirator in the case.Story continues below this adAhmed is the 21st accused to be arrested in the case. Paichar had planned and executed Nettaru’s murder at Bellare, which was carried out as part of PFI’s agenda to instigate communal unrest among people, said the NIA that took over the case from Karnataka Police in August 2022.Investigations revealed that PFI had formed secret teams called ‘PFI Service Teams’ or ‘Killer Squads’ to carry out targeted killings, the agency stated in its initial chargesheet.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd