Bengaluru, Jan 22 (Reporter) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has apprehended a key accused in the Praveen Nettaru murder case, as confirmed by the agency in a post on X. Ateeq Ahmed, the 21st person to be arrested in connection with the brutal killing of Praveen Nettaru in Bellare village, Dakshina Kannada District, was detained by the NIA. The murder, which took place in July 2022, was carried out by members of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI). Ateeq, under the direction of the PFI leadership, had harboured and aided Mustafa Paichar, the chief conspirator behind Nettaru's murder. Mustafa, who orchestrated and executed the attack, had carried out the act as part of the PFI's agenda to instigate fear and communal unrest within the region. Following the attack, Mustafa fled the scene, and Ateeq played a key role in helping him escape, including facilitating his transport to Chennai. Ateeq's assistance enabled Mustafa to evade law enforcement until his arrest in May 2024. The NIA, which took over the investigation from local police in August 2022, uncovered during their probe that the PFI had established covert "PFI Service Teams," which were trained in arms and surveillance to execute targeted killings, such as the one of Nettaru. The agency's investigation is ongoing as they continue to pursue the remaining six accused, with rewards announced for information leading to their capture...////...