In a significant development, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has successfully thwarted a potential terrorist attack by apprehending Aakif Ateeque Nachan, a key operative of the dreaded terror group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Nachan, the sixth person to be arrested in the case, was taken into custody from Bhiwandi, a town in Thane district.
According to the NIA's press release, Aakif was deeply involved in the "fabrication and testing" of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), indicating an alarming intention to carry out devastating terrorist acts. Furthermore, he was accused of providing shelter and logistical support to two other fugitive terror operatives, Imran Khan and Mohammed Yunus Saki, both considered 'most wanted' by the NIA, as reported by PTI.
In collaboration with fellow suspects Zulfikar Ali Barodawala, Mohammed Imran Khan, Mohammed Yunus Saki, and Abdul Kadir Pathan, all recently arrested by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad, Aakif actively promoted terror-related activities of the ISIS. The group was found to have links with the 'Sufa terrorist gang,' making their operations even more concerning.
The NIA's relentless efforts culminated in a series of raids in Bhiwandi, resulting in the seizure of incriminating materials, including electronic gadgets and documents. These findings highlight the potential scale and impact of the planned terrorist activities.
Aakif Ateeque Nachan's involvement went beyond the Thane district, as he was also implicated in facilitating the stay of Imran and Yunus in a house in Kondhwa, Pune. He was further linked to bomb-making workshops that took place in Kondhwa during 2022, raising concerns about the extent of the planned attacks.
The NIA's release stated that Aakif had sinister plans "to commit terrorist acts to disturb the unity, integrity, security, and sovereignty of the country, and wage a war against the Government of India." Fortunately, due to the vigilance and prompt action of the NIA, these dangerous plans were thwarted, ensuring the safety and security of the nation.
The case involving the alleged ISIS module in Maharashtra was registered in June last year. In the following months, the NIA made significant strides in apprehending several key suspects, including Tabish Nasser Siddiqui, Zubair Noor Mohammed Shaikh, Sharjeel Shaikh, Zulfikar Ali Barodawala, and Dr. Adnan Sarkar, all of whom were linked to the same terror network.
