Malappuram: The National Investigation Agency on Sunday launched searches at several houses in Malappuram and Kannur as part of the nationwide crackdown on the banned outfit Popular Front of India (PFI). The houses of former PFI activists were raided, a source said.

In Kannur, the searches were conducted at three houses in Kodaparamba, Kannur City and Pallipram. The NIA team that reportedly launched the searches around 4.30 am on Sunday concluded it by 9.30 am.

Meanwhile, the officials from NIA raided four houses at Vengara, Tirur, Tanur and Rangattoor in Malappuram; simultaneous raids are in progress in these four houses, reports said.

On August 1, the NIA attached Green Valley Academy in Manjeri after finding that the banned outfit Popular Front of India has been using the centre for providing arms and physical training to its members.

The NIA claimed that Green Valley Academy is one of the oldest and largest Arms and Physical training centres of PFI in Kerala.

NIA launched a nationwide crackdown on PFI called 'Operation Octopus' on charges of terror funding and money laundering.

On September 28, 2022, the central government declared PFI an unlawful association and temporarily banned it for five years under the UAPA Act.