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Pune ISIS Module: NIA Arrests Key Operatives After 2-Year International Manhunt

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Mumbai: In a major breakthrough, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday arrested two absconding accused Abdul Fayaz Sheikh and Talha Liyakat Khan who were identified as key members of a sleeper module of the banned terrorist organization ISIS. The arrests are linked to a 2023 case involving the fabrication and testing of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in Pune, Maharashtra.

The duo, who had fled the country in 2022 to evade arrest, were declared fugitives by the agency. The NIA had announced a cash reward of ₹3 lakh each for information leading to their capture. Acting on intelligence inputs, the Bureau of Immigration intercepted the accused at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (Terminal 2) when they arrived from Jakarta, Indonesia, where they had been hiding. They were immediately taken into custody by the NIA team and are expected to be produced before a special NIA court shortly.  

According to investigators, the duo had meticulously planned their escape after the ISIS module operating out of Pune was busted in 2022. That crackdown led to multiple arrests, including that of Shamil Nachan, son of convicted terrorist Saquib Nachan, who had been designated the Amir-e-Hind (chief of ISIS in India).  

Sources revealed that both accused fled along with their families. Talha Khan’s wife and infant daughter left for Oman on May 2, 2022, followed by Khan himself on August 12. Likewise, Fayaz Sheikh’s wife and two children departed for Oman on June 12, while Sheikh left on July 15. Their coordinated flight with their families complicated the investigation and necessitated sustained diplomatic and intelligence cooperation with foreign agencies.  

The NIA sources stated that both Sheikh and Khan were radicalized and were working under the instructions of the Ratlam-based ISIS module “Al Sufa,” led by arrested mastermind Imran Khan. Acting on his direction, the duo played a key role in organizing a secret IED workshop in Pune and inviting other ISIS operatives to participate.  

The accused were actively involved in propagating the violent and extremist ideology of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and engaged in preparatory acts of terrorist violence, including recruiting individuals to the organization. They had also pledged allegiance (Bayat) to the self-styled Khalifa (leader) of ISIS.

According to the NIA, both Abdul Fayaz Sheikh and Talha Liyakat Khan, along with eight other members of the ISIS Pune sleeper module who are already under arrest and in judicial custody, had conspired to carry out terrorist acts aimed at disturbing India’s peace and communal harmony. The agency stated that the group intended to wage war against the Government of India in pursuit of ISIS’s radical objective of establishing Islamic rule in the country through violence and terror.

According to the NIA chargesheet, the investigation into the ISIS Pune terror module uncovered a secret workshop for the fabrication, creation, and testing of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) held at a shop owned by accused Fayaz Sheikh. Sheikh, widely known as “Diaperwala” for running a diaper store in Pune’s Kondhwa area, hosted the clandestine session in April 2022.All members of the Pune ISIS terror module including arrested accused Zulfikar Ali Barodawala, Mohammed Imran Khan, Mohammed Yunus Saki, Simab Nasiruddin Kazi, and Abdul Kadir Pathan, among others reportedly participated in the workshop.   

Arrested accused Shamil Nachan and Akif Nachan traveled to Pune carrying explosive chemicals and processed powder to participate in the IED manufacturing and training exercise. The duo stayed overnight at Sheikh’s residence along with the explosive materials during their visit.  

Another suspected absconding accused, Talha Liyakat Khan, is also a resident of Pune and is associated with Fayaz Sheikh (Diaperwala). He too is believed to be a participant in the ISIS Maharashtra terror module and played a major role in organizing the IED workshop.

According to reliable sources, both Fayaz Sheikh and Talha Liyakat Khan were radicalized and, under the instructions of the Ratlam-based ISIS terror module, “Al Sufa,” mastermind and arrested accused Imran Khan arranged the IED workshop and invited other terror suspects to participate. Once intelligence confirmed their presence in Oman, the NIA initiated extradition proceedings through the Ministry of External Affairs, sharing all necessary documentation and case files with Omani authorities. Officials believe that their custody and interrogation will help unravel the full extent of the ISIS-linked network and the group’s operational plans in Maharashtra and beyond.  

The case forms part of a broader investigation into ISIS modules operating in India, with several arrests already made and multiple digital devices, explosive materials, and radical literature seized during raids. 

Crime

80-Year-Old Hanuman Temple Allegedly Demolished In Mumbai Borivali By Drunk Pan Shop Owner; Sparks Outrage Among Locals

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Mumbai: A controversy erupted in Mumbai’s Borivali East area after an allegedly drunk shopkeeper reportedly demolished a small 80-year-old Hanuman temple, triggering anger among residents and devotees.

The video of the incident was shared by media on its official handle on Instagram. The pan shop owner allegedly broke down the structure under the influence of alcohol, as the temple was located in front of his pan shop. The temple stood near a tree in Borivali East’s Carter Road No. 2 area. The irony is that the name of the pan shop is also ‘Jai Bajrang’ Pan Bhandar.

Visuals showed the damaged remains of the small temple scattered. The scene also captured crowd gathering around the area shocked by the incident. The incident has sparked strong reactions in the locality, as religious structures are closely tied to people’s faith and sentiments.

Though the report also stated that the police were informed about the incident, it remains unclear whether any formal action was taken.

The incident triggered debate on social media, with users expressing mixed reactions. Some questioned the temple’s age and legality, while others questioned, “Yeh 80 years ka mandir nahi lag raha hai. Cement gila hai, bricks bhi naye hain. Illegal construction.”

However, some users defended and said that it had existed in the area for decades. A user said, “I reside nearby and have been doing Darshan there since my childhood.” Another clarified, “I was using that way to go to school,” adding that the structure had been renovated over time by residents.

Several users condemned the act and demanded accountability. One comment read, “People should compensate the shopkeeper and continue to keep the temple,” while another slammed the shopowner and called him a “shameless guy.’

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Maharashtra

‘Doesn’t Deserve To Be Minister’: AIMIM’s Waris Pathan Slams Nitesh Rane For Comparing Owaisi To Osama Bin Laden; Seeks Immediate Removal

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Mumbai: A fresh political controversy has erupted in Maharashtra after Waris Pathan launched a sharp counterattack on Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Nitesh Rane over his controversial remarks comparing AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi to former Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.

Reacting strongly to the statement, Pathan demanded Rane’s immediate removal from the Maharashtra cabinet and accused him of spreading hate and communal tension. “Who are they to make such statements? We appeal to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra to remove him immediately,” Pathan said while speaking to the media.

The AIMIM leader further questioned how a minister could make such remarks against a five-time Member of Parliament. “How can a person say this about a 5-term MP? Go ban your shakhas who are spreading hate, misinformation and triggering riots,” Pathan added.

The controversy began after Rane, while addressing reporters on Sunday, accused All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen of functioning like a ‘terrorist organisation.’ He alleged that the activities once carried out by Al-Qaeda were now being pursued politically through AIMIM under Owaisi’s leadership. “AIMIM is a terrorist organisation. The work Osama bin Laden used to do through Al-Qaeda is now being done by Asaduddin Owaisi through AIMIM,” Rane had said.

Rane also criticised AIMIM’s political role and questioned the party’s developmental contribution in areas represented by its leaders. He further claimed that the party’s agenda revolved around promoting “Jihad” and demanded that AIMIM be banned in the same way as the Popular Front of India (PFI).

The remarks came amid the ongoing investigation into the Nashik TCS religious coercion and sexual harassment case involving accused Nida Khan. The controversy intensified after allegations surfaced that AIMIM corporator Mateen Majid Patel had allegedly sheltered Khan while she was absconding.

The escalating verbal clash between BJP and AIMIM leaders has now intensified political tensions in Maharashtra, with opposition leaders demanding action against Rane over his remarks.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai now has 15 zonal DCPs instead of 12, notification issued after establishment of five new police stations

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Mumbai: After the increase in five police stations due to the increasing population in Mumbai city, now new delimitation has been made in Mumbai city and suburbs. 15 DCPs have been posted in 15 zones in the city. Earlier there were 12 zones, now there are 15 zones. A notification has also been issued regarding this. The five new police stations include Asalfa, Maharashtra Nagar, Golibar, Malad Midh, Arla. Three new ACPs will also be posted in this. Along with the increase in these police stations, now there will be more than 100 police stations in the city. With the appointment of five Additional Commissioners and 15 DCPs, it will further help in establishing order in the city.

To control crime and establish order, Mumbai city needed new zones and new police stations based on population. Since Mumbai Police Commissioner Devin Bharti took charge as the Commissioner, progress has been made in this process and now it has been put into practice. Soon after the establishment of new police stations, the workload of police stations will be reduced. The boundaries of many police stations have also been changed. Many police stations in Mumbai city and suburbs have been associated with new police stations based on population. This delimitation will reduce the workload of police stations and will also ensure better supervision and administration in the areas.

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