New Delhi, May 29 -- The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday conducted a massive search operation at 12 locations across Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, and Maharashtra in connection with a cross-border weapon smuggling case, signalling a major push to dismantle a suspected terror network with links beyond India's borders.

Of the total, five places are being searched in Uttar Pradesh, three in Maharashtra and two each in Bihar and Rajasthan, linked to the case based on certain inputs against suspects.

The raids started early on Friday and are continuing, covering the locations of those working as local supporters to Pakistani operative Jasvir Chaudhary, who alongwith his Indian associates, was planning to carry out a blast at...