NIA arrests two fugitives linked to Pune ISIS module case

THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK

New Delhi, May 17: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has achieved a major breakthrough in the Pune ISIS module case by arresting two fugitives associated with the terrorist outfit’s sleeper cell network, the agency shared informed on Saturday

The arrested individuals have been identified as Abdullah Faiyaz Shaikh alias Diaperwala and Talha Khan. They were apprehended at Mumbai Airport upon their return from Jakarta, Indonesia, after being intercepted by the immigration bureau.

Following this, an NIA team took them into custody and formally arrested them.

Both suspects had been on the run for the past two years. The NIA’s special court in Mumbai had issued non-bailable warrants against them, and a reward of ₹3 lakh each had been announced for information leading to their arrest.

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Jharkhand Link Previously Surfaced

The case also has a Jharkhand connection. On November 2, 2023, the NIA had arrested another ISIS operative, Mohammad Shahnawaz Alam, from Hazaribagh. This arrest confirmed the spread of the module’s network into Jharkhand.

NIA investigations have revealed that all 10 accused had conspired to establish Islamic rule in India through violence and terrorism and to wage war against the government. Their aim was to disrupt peace and communal harmony in the country.

Chargesheet Filed Against All Accused, Including Latest Arrests

A chargesheet has already been filed against Abdullah Faiyaz Shaikh and Talha Khan along with the other arrested accused.

The investigation found that an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) was assembled in a rented house in Pune’s Kondhwa area by Shaikh. Controlled explosions were conducted in 2022–2023 to test the device. They also organized and attended bomb-making training workshops.

The chargesheet in the case names a total of 10 accused, including Abdullah Faiyaz Shaikh and Talha Khan. The other individuals listed are Mohammad Imran Khan, Mohammad Yunus Saki, Abdul Kadir Pathan, Simab Nasiruddin Qazi, Zulfikar Ali Barodawala, Shamil Nachan, Akif Nachan, and Shahnawaz Alam.