Mumbai: The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has initiated a large-scale operation, conducting searches at more than 15 locations across the state, including Mumbai, Thane, Bhiwandi, and other areas, as part of an ongoing investigation into an ISIS-linked terror module. The raids, reported by the Free Press Journal, target suspects connected to a case involving Saquib Nachan, a key figure arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2023.
Nachan, also known by aliases Raveesh, Saquib, or Khalid, is identified by the NIA as a primary suspect and the self-proclaimed Amir-e-Hind for ISIS in India. The agency’s probe revealed that Nachan played a central role in orchestrating plans for terrorist attacks and recruiting vulnerable youth into the organization. Sources cited by the Free Press Journal indicate that several individuals involved in the module had pledged allegiance, or “bayath,” to Nachan, who in turn swore loyalty to other members of the group, forming part of a wider conspiracy to incite terror and unrest.
The ATS operations aim to dismantle the network and gather evidence to further the investigation, building on the NIA’s earlier findings. The coordinated effort underscores the ongoing commitment of Maharashtra’s security agencies to counter terrorism in the region.
