Daijiworld Media Network - Pune
Pune, Oct 28: The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Monday arrested a software engineer from Pune for his alleged links with Pakistan-based terror outfit Al Qaeda and for involvement in radicalising youth, officials said.
The accused, identified as Zubair Hangargekar, was taken into custody from the Kondhwa area following sustained surveillance by the Pune ATS over the past month. He was produced before the Special Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) Court, which remanded him to police custody till November 4.
According to police officials, Hangargekar was allegedly involved in anti-national activities and was part of a wider network planning terror strikes in Maharashtra and other major cities. During searches at his residence, the ATS recovered incriminating materials reportedly used to spread extremist ideology and radicalise youth online.
In a related development, Pune Police had detained four suspects from the Chennai Express at Pune Railway Station on October 27, as part of a coordinated operation to dismantle suspected terror networks operating in the region.
Earlier, on October 9, ATS teams raided multiple locations across Pune and seized electronic devices, documents, and digital data, which hinted at the existence of a broader terror module.
The latest arrest comes close on the heels of the recent crackdown on Islamic State (IS)-linked operatives. Earlier this month, security agencies arrested Md Adnan Khan alias Abu Muharib (19) from Delhi’s Sadiq Nagar and Adnan Khan alias Abu Mohammad (20) from Bhopal in connection with an IS-related case. Investigations revealed that both men were radicalised online and were reporting to a handler based in Syria, highlighting the group’s continuing influence and resurgence.
Intelligence officials said that the Islamic State’s online radicalisation wing remains highly active, employing digital platforms to recruit and indoctrinate youth. Despite losing territorial control in Syria, IS has carried out 115 attacks this year, compared to 72 last year, signalling its growing strength.
Sources in the Intelligence Bureau have indicated that the India operations of the group are being coordinated from Syria, raising concerns over the expanding digital footprint of global terror outfits in the country.
Police said investigations into the Pune arrest are underway to determine Hangargekar’s exact role and his possible connections with other members of transnational extremist groups.