Arrested Bengaluru woman accused of spreading jihadi content online
Ms. Ansari, was detained from her home in the RT Nagar area of Bengaluru on Tuesday (July 29, 2025). Investigators allege that she was in contact with Pakistani operatives through phone and email, and used social media platforms to promote content linked to the AQIS.
According to the ATS, Ms. Ansari managed two Facebook pages and an Instagram account with a combined audience of over 10,000 followers. Through these channels, she allegedly posted material calling for an 'armed revolution or jihad' against the Indian government, and sought to provoke communal discord.
On July 23, the ATS apprehended four people from Delhi, Noida, Ahmedabad, and Modasa in Gujarat for allegedly disseminating extremist content, including videos promoting AQIS ideology through social media platforms, and she was linked to one of the four.
These videos were aimed at encouraging Muslim youth to reject India's democratic framework and advocate for the imposition of Islamic law (Sharia) through violent means, it is alleged.
Deputy Inspector General of Police, ATS, Sunil Joshi, stated that one of the accused, Mohammad Faiq from Delhi, had uploaded edited versions of such videos to his Instagram account. The original content, which included calls for jihad and attacks within India, was allegedly sourced from two Facebook pages and one Instagram handle.
Further investigation revealed that these three social media accounts, which had a combined following of over 10,000 users, were operated by Ms. Ansari, Mr. Joshi said.
Based on this evidence, the ATS, with support from Central agencies and local police, took Ms. Ansari into custody in Bengaluru on Tuesday. She was brought to Gujarat on transit remand the following day.
Officials allege that Ms. Ansari was actively posting speeches by AQIS leader Maulana Asim Umar and former Al-Qaeda ideologue Anwar al-Awlaki, both known for promoting extremist views. The content reportedly called for jihad against the Indian state, referenced 'Ghazwa-e-Hind', and urged violence against non-Muslims.
Mr. Joshi added that Ms. Ansari had also circulated a video featuring Maulana Abdul Aziz of Pakistan's Lal Masjid, in which he encouraged an armed uprising to dismantle the Indian government and provoke divisions along religious and caste lines.
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