In a significant crackdown on terrorist activities, India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) achieved a breakthrough by apprehending 15 suspected terrorists linked to an active ISIS module in a series of coordinated raids across Maharashtra and Karnataka.
According to NIA sources, these raids led to the arrest of key members, including the alleged leader of the ISIS module, responsible for inducting new recruits by administering the 'bayath' (oath of allegiance).
The operations, conducted at 44 locations in Padgha-Borivali, Thane, Mira Road, Pune in Maharashtra, and Bengaluru in Karnataka, aimed to disrupt the activities of those allegedly involved in promoting terrorism and supporting the banned ISIS organization.
The NIA seized a substantial cache of unaccounted cash, firearms, sharp weapons, incriminating documents, smartphones, and digital devices during the raids, highlighting the gravity of their alleged involvement.
Officials reported that the arrested individuals, purportedly part of the ISIS Maharashtra module, were actively engaged in various nefarious activities, including the creation of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). They were believed to be operating under the guidance of foreign handlers with the intent to propagate the violent and destructive ideology of ISIS.
An official spokesperson revealed that the accused had designated Padgha in rural Thane as a "liberated zone" and referred to it as "Al-Sham." This village was allegedly aimed to be transformed into a hub for their operations, urging susceptible Muslim youths to relocate and strengthen their base.
Furthermore, it was disclosed that Saqib Nachan, the alleged mastermind, facilitated the 'bayath' to those joining the ISIS, adhering to the organization's violent agenda and ideologies.
The NIA's actions underscore the gravity of the ISIS threat in India, as the terror network continues to establish localized cells and modules across various states. The agency's proactive approach in identifying and dismantling these networks has resulted in several recent arrests, thwarting potential acts of terrorism that could endanger public safety and communal harmony.
The series of targeted raids indicate the NIA's unwavering commitment to neutralizing terrorist activities and preventing the proliferation of violent extremist ideologies in the country.
The investigations into the alleged ISIS modules and their network in India remain ongoing, highlighting the continued efforts to combat and eradicate such threats to national security.