NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency ( NIA ) has arrested two ISIS sleeper cell fugitives at Mumbai airport, officials confirmed on Saturday. The suspects were sought in connection with a 2023 IED manufacturing and testing case in Pune, Maharashtra.
Abdullah Faiyaz Shaikh, also known as Diaperwala, and Talha Khan were intercepted by Immigration authorities at Mumbai International Airport Terminal 2 whilst attempting to return from their hideout in Jakarta, Indonesia. The NIA subsequently took them into custody.
The suspects had evaded capture for over two years, with non-bailable warrants issued by the NIA Special Court, Mumbai. The agency had offered Rs 3 lakh reward for information leading to each suspect's capture.
The investigation centres on a conspiracy involving these individuals and eight other ISIS Pune sleeper cell members, who are currently in judicial custody. The statement detailed their plot to destabilise India's peace through violent means to establish Islamic governance.
The two arrestees, previously chargesheeted with other accused, allegedly assembled IEDs in a Kondhwa, Pune residence rented by Abdullah Faiyaz Shaikh. During 2022-2023, they conducted bomb-making workshops and tested an IED in a controlled explosion at the premises.
The NIA, monitoring ISIS activities in India, had previously filed charges against all 10 accused under various sections of the UAPA, Explosive Substances Act, Arms Act and IPC.
The additional arrested individuals include Mohammed Imran Khan, Mohammed Yunus Saki, Abdul Kadir Pathan, Simab Nasiruddin Kazi, Zulfikar Ali Barodawala, Shamil Nachan, Akif Nachan and Shahnawaz Alam.
Abdullah Faiyaz Shaikh, also known as Diaperwala, and Talha Khan were intercepted by Immigration authorities at Mumbai International Airport Terminal 2 whilst attempting to return from their hideout in Jakarta, Indonesia. The NIA subsequently took them into custody.
The suspects had evaded capture for over two years, with non-bailable warrants issued by the NIA Special Court, Mumbai. The agency had offered Rs 3 lakh reward for information leading to each suspect's capture.
The investigation centres on a conspiracy involving these individuals and eight other ISIS Pune sleeper cell members, who are currently in judicial custody. The statement detailed their plot to destabilise India's peace through violent means to establish Islamic governance.
The two arrestees, previously chargesheeted with other accused, allegedly assembled IEDs in a Kondhwa, Pune residence rented by Abdullah Faiyaz Shaikh. During 2022-2023, they conducted bomb-making workshops and tested an IED in a controlled explosion at the premises.
The NIA, monitoring ISIS activities in India, had previously filed charges against all 10 accused under various sections of the UAPA, Explosive Substances Act, Arms Act and IPC.
The additional arrested individuals include Mohammed Imran Khan, Mohammed Yunus Saki, Abdul Kadir Pathan, Simab Nasiruddin Kazi, Zulfikar Ali Barodawala, Shamil Nachan, Akif Nachan and Shahnawaz Alam.
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