Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Mar 27: Twelve individuals with suspected links to banned terror outfits including Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent have been arrested following a coordinated multi-state operation by police, officials said.
The accused were picked up from multiple states including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Telangana during a joint operation led by police teams from Andhra Pradesh and Delhi.
Investigations revealed that the accused allegedly established contact with foreign handlers of ISIS and AQIS through a gaming application and later became part of their network. Officials said they were also linked to a group identified as “Benex Com,” believed to be associated with ISIS.
The accused allegedly engaged in anti-national activities on social media, including replacing the Indian national flag with ISIS flags, burning the tricolour, and sharing content praising terrorist organisations. They also reportedly mocked the national anthem and advocated the creation of an Islamic State in India.
Authorities further stated that the group was planning to travel to Pakistan within a month for terror training and was actively encouraging youth to undergo similar training in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
According to investigators, three of the accused from Vijayawada—Mohammad Rahmatullah Shareef, Mirza Sohail Beg, and Mohammad Danish—had formed a group named “Al Malik Islamic Youth” aimed at radicalising young individuals.
They were allegedly promoting extremist ideologies, including the concept of “Ghazwa-e-Hind,” and expanding their network across states through online platforms. The trio reportedly consumed and circulated propaganda content, including videos of former al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
Police said the main accused had developed contacts with a foreign handler identified as Al-Hakeem Shukur and coordinated with operatives across different regions to expand their activities.
Further investigation is underway to identify additional links and prevent potential threats.