Five Suspected ISIS Operatives Arrested In Multi-State Anti-Terror Raids

In a coordinated multi-state operation, Indian security agencies arrested five suspected ISIS operatives planning targeted attacks on right-wing leaders; an investigation into their communications revealed. The arrests, conducted on September 12, 2025, spanned Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Telangana, disrupting a terror module with approximately 40 members, though only the five apprehended were aware of the specific plot. Authorities seized weapons and uncovered plans involving suicide jackets and bombers, indicating a high level of threat.

The main accused, Ashar Danish, a postgraduate in English operating under the codename 'Gazwa', was arrested in Ranchi, Jharkhand. Sources indicate Danish, who arrived in the city in January 2025 posing as a student, was injured earlier while assembling Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Two others, Aftab and Abu Sufiyan, both Mumbai residents, were apprehended at Delhi’s Nizamuddin railway station with weapons, en route to Mumbai. Kamran Qureshi was arrested in Rajgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Hazaif Yemen was detained in Telangana.

The operatives specialised in manufacturing chemical weapons and were part of a sleeper cell tasked with bomb-making, weapon procurement, and expanding ISIS’s network in India. They operated under a “Khilafat” model to recruit young individuals, guided by a handler based in Pakistan, according to sources. This strategy aimed to bolster the terror group’s presence through radicalisation and covert operations. The arrests highlight ongoing efforts to counter ISIS’s influence in India, where such modules exploit digital platforms for coordination.

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This operation marks a significant breakthrough in India’s counter-terrorism efforts, thwarting a potentially devastating attack. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and state police forces continue to investigate the module’s broader network, focusing on dismantling recruitment pipelines and preventing further threats. The case underscores the persistent challenge of combating decentralised terror networks in the region, with authorities remaining vigilant to ensure public safety.

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