The National Investigating Agency (NIA) said that it conducted raids at 40 locations in Maharashtra, including Thane, Pune, and Mira Bhayandar, leading to the arrest of 13 individuals in connection with an ISIS conspiracy case. Another location in Karnataka was also raided in connection with the same case.
The targeted areas in Maharashtra were predominantly in Thane Rural (31) and Thane city (9), with additional raids in Pune and Mira Bhayandar. The early morning crackdown follows the revelation that two individuals initially arrested in a theft case were linked to ISIS.
“The operation was a result of meticulous investigation and intelligence gathering. We have taken swift action to neutralize the threat posed by these individuals associated with the ISIS conspiracy,” stated an NIA spokesperson.
The initial trail leading to the anti-terror raids emerged when two individuals arrested in a routine theft case were found to have connections with the terrorist organization ISIS. Subsequently, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorist Squad took charge of the investigation.
In a related development, a suspect identified as Aakif Ateeque Nachan, allegedly involved in the production of explosives, was apprehended in August. He became the sixth person to be arrested in connection with the ongoing ISIS terror module case.
“Today’s operation is part of our ongoing efforts to dismantle terror networks and ensure the safety and security of our nation. The arrests made and evidence collected will be crucial in building a strong case against those involved in these sinister activities,” said the NIA spokesperson.
Earlier arrests in the same case included individuals like Tabish Nasser Siddiqui from Mumbai, Zubair Noor Mohammed Shaikh alias Abu Nusaiba, Adnan Sarkar from Pune, and Sharjeel Shaikh and Zulfikar Ali Barodawala from Thane.